Network node for switching digital information of different protocol types
United States Patent 6842451
A tract:
A network node (
) for switching digital information of different protocol types is described. A plurality of modules (
-x) are provided which are arranged in an i ut stage (
), a central stage (
) and an output stage (
). Each module (
-x) of the i ut stage (
) is co ected to each module (
-x) of the central stage (
) and each module (
-x) of the central stage (
) is co ected to each module (
-x) of the output stage (
). A standard interface (
) for all protocol types is in each case provided between the i ut stage (
) and the central stage (
) and between the central stage (
) and the output stage (
). Each of the modules (
-x) of the central stage (
) is designed for one protocol type. The interfaces (
) comprise mea for forwarding information as a function of the protocol type to a module (
-x) of the central stage (
) adapted thereto.
Representative Image:
Inventors:
Turban, Karl-albert (Leo erg, DE)
A lication Number:
09/729776
Publication Date:
01/11/2005
Filing Date:
12/06/2000
Export Citation:
A ignee:
Alcatel (Paris, FR)
Primary Cla :
Other Cla es:
370/395.52
International Cla es:
H04L12/56
H04Q11/04
H04L12/64
H04L12/56
H04Q11/04
; H04L12/64; (IPC1-7): H04L12/50
Field of Search:
370/395.5, 370/388, 370/386, 370/395.52, 370/389, 370/387
View Patent Images: US Patent References:
6747971
June, 2004
Hughes et al.
370/387
6600741
July, 2003
Chrin et al.
370/375
4679190
July, 1987
Dias et al.
370/355
Primary Examiner:
Chin, Wellington
A istant Examiner:
Pham, Brenda
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Sughrue Mion, PLLC
Claims:
1. A network node (
) for switching digital information of different protocol types with a plurality of modules (
-x) which are arranged in an i ut stage (
), a central stage (
) and an output stage (
), each module (
-x) of the i ut stage (
) being co ected to each module (
-x) of the central stage (
) and each module (
-x) of the central stage (
) being co ected to each module (
-x) of the output stage (
), characterised in that a uniform interface (
) for all protocol types is provided between the i ut stage (
) and the central stage (
) and between the central stage (
) and the output stage (
), that each of the modules (
-x) of the central stage (
) is designed for one protocol type, and that the interfaces (
) comprise mea for forwarding information as a function of the protocol type to a module (
-x) of the central stage (
) adapted thereto.
2. A network node (
) according to claim 1, characterised in that the modules (
-x) of the central stage (
) are replaceable.
3. A network node (
) according to claim 1, characterised in that the modules (
-x) of the i ut stages (
) and of the output stages (
) are adapted to a plurality of, or all of, the different protocol types.
4. A network node (
) according to claim 1, characterised in that the network node (
) is a distributed node.
5. A proce for switching digital information of different protocol types, wherein a network node (
) is provided with a plurality of modules (
-x) which are arranged in an i ut stage (
), a central stage (
) and an output stage (
), each module (
-x) of the i ut stage (
) being co ected to each module (
-x) of the central stage (
) and each module (
-x) of the central stage (
) being co ected to each module (
-x) of the output stage (
), characterised in that a uniform interface (
) for all protocol types is provided between the i ut stage (
) and the central stage (
) and between the central stage (
) and the output stage (
), that each of the modules (
-x) of the central stage (
) is designed for one protocol type, and that information is forwarded from the interfaces (
) as a function of the protocol type to a module (
-x) of the central stage (
) adapted thereto.
Description:
PRIOR ART
The invention is based on a network node for switching digital information of different protocol types with a plurality of modules which are arranged in an i ut stage, a central stage and an output stage, each module of the i ut stage being co ected to each module of the central stage and each module of the central stage being co ected to each module of the output stage. The invention further relates to a proce for switching digital information of different protocol types wherein a corre onding network node is provided.
It is known to use a so-called SDH switching matrix (SDH=synchronous digital hierarchy) for the synchronous tra mi ion of digital information packets. Such a SDH switching matrix comprises three stages, an i ut stage, a central stage and an output stage. Each stage contai a plurality of modules, each module being provided with a plurality of so-called ports for incoming or outgoing information packets. Each module of each stage is co ected to each module of the adjacent stage. In this way incoming information can be forwarded from each of the modules of the i ut stage to each of the modules of the output stage.
It is likewise known to switch information in the form of ATM or IP packets (ATM=asynchronous tra fer mode, IP=internet protocol) in a SDH switching matrix as aggregated packet stream. The individual switching of individual information packets takes place not in the SDH network nodes but in dow tream devices, e.g. in so-called ATM switches or IP routers. The hardware outlay and resultant costs are clearly high.
OBJECT AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to provide a network node for switching digital information of different protocol types which requires a low hardware outlay and thus lower costs.
This object is achieved in a network node of the type referred to in the introduction in accordance with the invention in that a standard interface is in each case provided between the i ut stage and the central stage and between the central stage and the output stage, that each of the modules of the central stage is adapted to one of the different protocol types, and that the interfaces comprise mea for forwarding an information packet as a function of its protocol type to a module of the central stage adapted thereto. The object is achieved in a corre onding ma er according to the invention in a proce of the type referred to in the introduction.
The invention provides a structure of a network node which enables information represented in different protocol types to be switched directly and without external or additional devices. The structure comprises three stages and co ists of modules for the i ut stage, the central stage and the output stage. Each module of the i ut stage is co ected to each module of the central stage and likewise each module of the central stage is co ected to each module of the output stage.
The standard interfaces arranged, in accordance with the invention, between the stages offer the po ibility of accommodating modules for different protocol types in the central stage. It is thus no longer nece ary to co ect additional ATM switches or IP routers to a SDH switching matrix for the switching of ATM or IP traffic, it being po ible to accommodate an ATM or IP matrix directly in the central stage.
As a result of the standard interfaces, the modules of the central stage have a standard co ection to the exterior, so that they are no longer tied to a ecific protocol type. It is thus po ible to provide modules of different protocol types in the central stage so that not only SDH traffic, but also ATM traffic or IP traffic can be switched via the a ociated modules of the central stage.
In accordance with the invention it is no longer nece ary to switch the ATM traffic in a plurality of stages firstly via a SDH switching matrix and then via an ATM switch. I tead, in accordance with the invention, the ATM traffic can be switched directly via a corre onding ATM matrix in the central stage.
The hardware outlay is thus clearly co iderably lower than previously.
In operation the modules of the i ut stage recognise the protocol type to which the information in each case to be tra mitted belongs. As a function of the protocol type, the information is then forwarded to a module of the central stage likewise belonging to this protocol type. In this way, in addition to SDH information streams, ATM and IP packets can also immediately be further proce ed by the a ociated module without the need for the ATM or IP packets to leave the SDH switching matrix as was previously the case. This advantage also exists in the event of the mixed occurrence of containers with information of different protocol types in a STM structure (STM=synchronous tra ort module).
A further advantage of the invention co ists in that the SDH traffic is no longer blocked by ATM or IP traffic, as was previously the case. I tead, a separate, in each case a ociated module in the form of a SDH matrix and/or an ATM matrix and/or an IP matrix is available for each protocol type. This co titutes an e ential advantage of the invention in re ect of the tra mi ion rate and tra mi ion eed of the network node according to the invention.
A further advantage of the invention co ists in the po ibility of being able to upgrade or expand the network node according to the invention at any time and in a completely flexible ma er. For this purpose it is only nece ary to add the desired additional modules. As a result of the standard interfaces according to the invention, any desired modules for SDH traffic or for ATM traffic or for IP traffic can be added in the central stage. This advantage also manifests in a lower hardware outlay and co equently lower costs.
It is particularly advantageous if the modules of the central stage are exchangeable. It is thus po ible for a module of a ecific protocol type to be su equently exchanged for another module of a different protocol type. As a result of the standard interfaces according to the invention, this can take place at any time and again in a fully flexible ma er even during operation. The network node according to the invention thus not only can be flexibly expanded but a modification of the network node is also readily po ible at any time.
The above mentioned po ibilities of flexible expa ion and modification of the network node according to the invention result in the further advantage of the invention that the network node is scalable. Simply by mea of a ropriate additional or exchanged modules, the network node according to the invention can be expanded or modified according to requirements.
A further advantage of the invention co ists in the uniformity of components. In particular, the use of the standard interfaces according to the invention facilitates the production thereof in large numbers. This co titutes a further reduction in the development and production costs of the network node according to the invention.
The invention also offers the po ibility of i talling the network node decentrally. This results in increased reliability with reduced outlay.
Further features, a lication po ibilities and advantages of the invention will be described in the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention illustrated in the drawing. Here all the described or illustrated features, both independently and in arbitrary combinatio , form the subject of the invention irre ective of their combination in the claims or their dependencies and irre ective of their wording in the description and representation in the drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The sole FIGURE of the drawing is a schematic block circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a network node according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The FIGURE shows a network node
having three stages, an i ut stage
, a central stage
and an output stage
. The i ut stage
is provided with a plurality of modules
, . . . ,
, the central stage
with a plurality of modules
, . . . ,
and the output stage
with a plurality of modules
, . . . ,
. The modules of the individual stages will be designated by the reference symbols
-x in the following for simplification.
Each of the modules
-x of the i ut stage
is co ected to each module
-x of the central stage
. Likewise each of the modules
-x of the central stage
is co ected to each of the modules
-x of the output stage
Each of the modules
-x of the i ut stage
is provided at its i ut end with a plurality of ports at which digital information is received. Each of the modules
-x of the output stage
is provided at its output end with a plurality of ports at which digital information is output.
Each of the modules
-x of the central stage
is designed for one single ecific protocol type. Thus each of the modules
-x of the central stage
can be adapted to the SDH protocol or the ATM protocol or the IP protocol. The modules
-x of the central stage
can thus contain a SDH matrix or an ATM matrix or an IP matrix. The modules
-x of the central stage
can thus switch SDH traffic or ATM traffic or IP traffic depending upon the provided protocol type.
Standard interfaces
in the form of a emblies are provided between the modules
-x of the central stage
and the modules
-x of the i ut stage
and the output stage
. These interfaces
have been represented in the FIGURE in each case for the modules
-x of the i ut stage
and of the output stage
. However it is also nece ary for the interfaces
in each case also to be provided in the modules
-x of the central stage
. These last mentioned interfaces
have not been represented in the FIGURE for reaso of clarity.
The interfaces
can likewise be provided, independently of the modules, as separate interface adapters between the i ut stage
and the central stage
and between the central stage
and the output stage
As a result of the standard interfaces
, each of the modules
-x of the central stage
has a uniform co ection to the exterior, thus in the direction of the modules
-x of the i ut stage
and the output stage
. Each of the modules
-x of the central stage
can therefore be exchanged for another module with a different protocol type. In this way, in the central stage
it is po ible for example for a module with a SDH matrix to be exchanged for a module with an IP matrix.
The interfaces
, provided as a emblies, are equi ed with mea for informing one another of the protocol type of the tra mitted information. The interfaces
are also provided with mea for determining the protocol type of the co ected modules
-x of the central stage
. It is thus po ible for the interfaces
between the i ut stage
and the central stage
to forward information of a ecific protocol type to a module
-x of the central stage
with the same protocol type.
Each of the modules
-x of the i ut stage
and of the output stage
is equi ed with an ATM/IP matrix
. This ATM/IP matrix
is provided for switching information packets according to the ATM protocol or the IP protocol.
If information in the form of virtual containers having a synchronous content according to the SDH protocol is received by one of the modules
-x of the i ut stage
, this information is forwarded via the a ociated interface
to a corre onding module
-x of the central stage
which has a SDH matrix. The information is forwarded from this module
-x of the central stage
and reaches an interface
belonging to one of the modules
-x of the output stage
. The information is proce ed again by this interface
whereupon it is output via the a ociated module
-x of the output stage
If a packet according to the ATM protocol is received by one of the modules
-x of the i ut stage
, this packet is firstly conditioned by the ATM/IP matrix
of the module
-x. Then the packet is forwarded from the a ociated interface
to an a ropriate one of the modules
-x of the central stage
with an ATM matrix. The packet is forwarded from this module
-x of the central stage
and reaches an interface
belonging to one of the modules
-x of the output stage
. The packet is proce ed again by this interface
whereupon it is output via the a ociated module
-x of the output stage
and the ATM/IP matrix
thereof.
The proce described in the foregoing for a packet according to the ATM protocol a lies in a corre onding ma er to a packet according to the IP protocol. However, in place of an ATM matrix, a module
-x in the central stage
with an IP matrix is used.
As shown in the FIGURE, a control system
is provided for the network node
. The control system
has links to the modules
-x of the i ut stage
and to the modules
-x of the output stage
. The modules
-x of the central stage
are controlled via the interfaces
These modules
-x likewise report their status upon request via the interfaces
to the modules
-x of the output stage
. From here this status is then forwarded to the control system
The setting up of so-called routing tables takes place from the modules
-x of the i ut stage
via the interfaces
. Test data are likewise sent from the modules
-x of the i ut stage
to the modules
-x of the output stage
. These modules
-x are su lied by the control system
with the information required for testing the test data. If the test data are correctly received by the modules
-x of the output stage
, the co ection is co idered as having been correctly set up.
If the interfaces
are provided in the form of interface adapters between the i ut stage
and the central stage
and between the central stage
and the output stage
, the control system
is co ected not to the modules
-x of the i ut stage
and of the output stage
but only to the modules
-x of the central stage
. The modules
-x then are directly controlled by the control system
The technology used for interco ecting the interfaces
in the form of a emblies decides whether the network node must be i talled centrally in a building or can be i talled decentrally. Decentral i tallation increases the reliability. | Copyright 2004-2011 FreePatentsOnline.com. All rights reserved.信息提示
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Copyright 1998 – 2010 Tencent. All Rights Reserved.刷深渊的时候 一个战神 卡在墙壁上 下不来 怎么办？
悬赏分：0
提问时间：2010-9-27 14:12
提问者：
怎么解决。。。
其他回答
没办法啊，腾讯的服务器经常出错的，哥们一定要淡定啊
回答者：
2010-9-27 14:14
跳上去打！！！！！！！
回答者：
2010-9-27 14:18
组队的人可以用命运硬币，图里的就麻烦了
回答者：
2010-9-27 15:51
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