Method and apparatus for reconfiguring network routes

Abstract

A method and apparatus for ensuring that every path in an IP network that interconnects a pair of VoIP network elements comprises diverse network routes and is engineered with adequate bandwidth to support VoIP phone calls are disclosed. In the event that a single point of failure or inadequate bandwidth is detected between a pair of VoIP network elements, an alarm is issued and network engineers are notified to reconfigure the routes between the VoIP network element pair.

1 . A method for reconfiguring network routes in a communication network, comprising:
 monitoring a route diversity and a bandwidth availability between at least one network element pair in said communication network, where each of said at least one network element pair comprises a first network element and a second network element, wherein said route diversity comprises an availability of at least two network routes for interconnecting said first network element and said second network element; and   reconfiguring a network route between said at least one network element pair if a route diversity violation or a bandwidth availability violation is detected.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said communication network comprises a packet network. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said packet network comprises a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network or a Service over Internet Protocol (SoIP) network. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said bandwidth availability comprises a minimum bandwidth level that is specified by a network provider of said communication network to be maintained between said first network element and said second network element. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said reconfiguring said network route if said bandwidth availability violation is detected comprises:
 increasing a bandwidth availability between said first network element and said second network element of said at least one network element pair; or   creating an alternative route to replace said network route between said first network element and said second network element of said at least one network element pair.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said route diversity and said bandwidth availability are monitored by a Network Management System. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said route reconfiguration is performed by said Network Management System. 
     
     
         8 . A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions, the plurality of instructions including instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform steps of a method for reconfiguring network routes in a communication network, comprising:
 monitoring a route diversity and a bandwidth availability between at least one network element pair in said communication network, where each of said at least one network element pair comprises a first network element and a second network element, wherein said route diversity comprises an availability of at least two network routes for interconnecting said first network element and said second network element; and   reconfiguring a network route between said at least one network element pair if a route diversity violation or a bandwidth availability violation is detected.   
     
     
         9 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein said communication network comprises a packet network. 
     
     
         10 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 9 , wherein said packet network comprises a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network or a Service over Internet Protocol (SoIP) network. 
     
     
         11 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein said bandwidth availability comprises a minimum bandwidth level that is specified by a network provider of said communication network to be maintained between said first network element and said second network element. 
     
     
         12 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein said reconfiguring said network route if said bandwidth availability violation is detected comprises:
 increasing a bandwidth availability between said first network element and said second network element of said at least one network element pair; or   creating an alternative route to replace said network route between said first network element and said second network element of said at least one network element pair.   
     
     
         13 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein said route diversity and said bandwidth availability are monitored by a Network Management System. 
     
     
         14 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 13 , wherein said route reconfiguration is performed by said Network Management System. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for reconfiguring network routes in a communication network, comprising:
 means for monitoring a route diversity and a bandwidth availability between at least one network element pair in said communication network, where each of said at least one network element pair comprises a first network element and a second network element, wherein said route diversity comprises an availability of at least two network routes for interconnecting said first network element and said second network element; and   means for reconfiguring a network route between said at least one network element pair if a route diversity violation or a bandwidth availability violation is detected.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said communication network is a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network or a Service over Internet Protocol (SoIP) network. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said bandwidth availability comprises a minimum bandwidth level that is specified by a network provider of said communication network to be maintained between said first network element and said second network element. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said reconfiguring said network route if said bandwidth availability violation is detected comprises:
 increasing a bandwidth availability between said first network element and said second network element of said at least one network element pair; or   creating an alternative route to replace said network route between said first network element and said second network element of said at least one network element pair.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said route diversity and said bandwidth availability are monitored by a Network Management System. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein said route reconfiguration is performed by said Network Management System.