Method of establishing logical connections in a synchronous digital communications network, as well as network elements and management system

Abstract

A method of establishing logical connections in a synchronous communications network (SDH) comprising a plurality of at least partially interconnected network elements (NE 1 , NEn; CC 1 -CC 3 ) and designed for the transmission of data packets containing a destination address involves monitoring destination addresses of the data packets to be transmitted, determining the traffic volume between the individual network elements (NE 1 , NEn; CC 1 -CC 3 ) with the aid of the destination addresses, and determining an optimized configuration of logical connections based on the traffic volume and existing logical connections. In this manner, the communications network is adapted to the current traffic situation, and the transmission capacities of the network are utilized in the best possible manner. The monitoring is advantageously done in at least part of the network elements, while the determination of the traffic volume and the optimized configuration is performed by a central management system (TMN).

1 . A method of establishing logical connections in a synchronous digital communications network (SDH) comprising a plurality of at least partially interconnected network elements (NE 1 , NEn; CC 1 -CC 3 ) designed for the transmission of data packets each containing a destination address, said method comprising the steps of: 
 monitoring the destination addresses of the data packets to be transmitted;    determining a current traffic volume between the individual network elements (NE 1 , NEn; CC 1 -CC 3 ) with the aid of the destination addresses;    determining an optimized configuration of logical connections based on the traffice volume and existing logical connections; and    updating the logical connections in the synchronous digital communications network (SDH) with the optimized configuration.    
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the determination of the optimized configuration and the updating of the logical connections are performed periodically.  
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the the data packets are packets structured in accordance with the Internet protocol.  
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the monitoring of the destination addresses is performed in at least part of the network elements (NE 1 , NEn; CC 1 -CC 3 ) of the synchronous digital communications network.  
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the determination of the traffic volume and the determination of an optimized configuration are made by a central management system (TMN) of the synchronous digital communications network (SDH).  
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein in addition, the source addresses are monitored and a charge for transmitted data packets is determined therefrom.  
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  or  6  wherein data packets with predetermined source or destination addresses are given a higher priority during transmission.  
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the determination of the optimized configuration is also based on experience gained in cyclically occurring traffic situations.  
     
     
         9 . A network element (NE 1 , NEn; CC 1 -CC 3 ) for a synchronous digital communications network (SDH) comprising a plurality of at least partially interconnected network elements and designed for the transmission of data packets, said network elements (NE 1 , NEn; CC 1 -CC 3 ) comprising: 
 means for monitoring destination addresses of the data packets to be transmitted; and    an interface to a central management system (TMN) for sending messages (MTL) containing the destination addresses of the data packets to be transmitted and for receiving instructions (ANW) relating to logical connections to be switched, the central management system (TMN) being provided for establishing the logical connections in the communications network (SDH).    
     
     
         10 . A network element as claimed in  claim 9  which is a crossconnector (CC 1 -CC 3 ).  
     
     
         11 . A management system (TMN) for a synchronous digital communications network (SDH) comprising a plurality of at least partially interconnected network elements (NE 1 , NEn; CC 1 -CC 3 ) and designed for the transmission of data packets, said management system (TMN) comprising: 
 interfaces to the network elements (NE 1 , NEn; CC 1 -CC 3 ) of the synchronous digital communications network (SDH) for receiving messages (MTL) containing destination addresses of the data packets to be transmitted and for sending to the network elements (NE 1 , NEn; CC 1 -CC 3 ) instructions (ANW) relating to logical connections to be switched;    means for determining a current traffic volume between the network elements based on the messages (MTL) containing the destination addresses of the data packets to be transmitted;    means for determining an optimized configuration of logical connections between the network elements (NE 1 , NEn; CC 1 -CC 3 ) based on the existing logical connections and the traffic volume; and    means for sending to the network elements (NE 1 , NEn; CC 1 -CC 3 ) instructions (ANW) relating to the logical connections to be switched in accordance with the optimized configuration.