Abstract: A method (100) of end-to-end path computation across a plurality of domains (20) in a communication network comprises receiving (101) a request for a path across the plurality of domains. The method comprises computing (110) in a network control entity (50) the end-to-end path across the plurality of domains as part of a hierarchical path computation. Computing the end-to-end path comprises determining if a stored path corresponding to at least a part of the end-to-end path matches one or more criteria of the end-to-end path, and if so, using the stored path for the end-to-end path computation. The method further comprises transmitting (120) information indicating at least part of the stored path to a domain control entity (30) configured to control a said one of the plurality of domains involved in the end-to-end path.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure provides a method for allocating traffic in a telecommunications network. The telecommunications network comprises a plurality of nodes, with pairs of nodes being connected by respective links. A plurality of demands for connectivity between respective first nodes and respective second nodes are allocated to the telecommunications network, with traffic for each demand being directed via a respective plurality of paths between the respective first and second nodes in accordance with respective weights assigned to each path.

Abstract: A method in a physical network controller (130) for configuring physical resources to provide a physical layer connection in a communications network (100). The physical layer connection provides physical connectivity for a higher layer network connection controlled by a higher layer network controller (120) in a hierarchical arrangement with the physical network controller (130). The method comprising the physical network controller (130) receiving (210) an indication for a minimum traffic capacity for the physical layer connection. The physical network controller configuring (220) physical resources according to the received indication.

Abstract: A method (100) for managing the provision of a service between origin and destination endpoints over a communication network is disclosed. The communication network comprises at least two Autonomous Systems (ASs) and an Abstraction and Control of Traffic Engineered Networks Virtual Network (VN) between the origin and destination endpoints. The method comprises defining, at each of the origin and destination endpoints, a service segregation loopback interface corresponding to a subset of traffic belonging to the service (110). The method further comprises binding the subset of traffic to the VN by exposing the service segregation loopback interface defined at the destination endpoint as routing next hop only to traffic belonging to the subset (120).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for path computation for a service in a telecommunications network. In one aspect, a method comprises receiving a request to schedule the service utilizing the network in a time period determining that a path for the service is not available for the whole of the time period, and determining a plurality of paths for the service, each of the plurality of paths being available during a respective portion of the time period, such that at least one of the plurality of paths is available for the service at any time during the time period.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for scheduling services in a traffic-engineered communications network. In one aspect a method comprises: receiving a request to schedule a second service utilizing the network in a second time period, wherein the second time period overlaps a first time period in which a first service utilizing the network has already been scheduled; and computing a path for the second service through the network. The step of computing the path for the second service through the network comprises: responsive to a determination that the request is received less than the threshold period of time before the start of the first time period, disallowing the second service from pre-empting the first service.

Abstract: A method of managing a virtual network, VN, comprising a plurality of VN members comprises associating (710) one or more of the VN members with a first group, the first group including VN members requiring dedicated resource allocations for their corresponding network tunnels, and associating (720) others of the VN members with a second group, the second group comprising VN members that may share resource allocations with other VN members of the second group. Paths are assigned (730, 740) through the one or more physical network domains for the VN members such that the assigned paths for the VN members of the first group provide dedicated resource allocations to each VN member of the first group and such that at least one pair of VN members of the second group traversing a common physical link share a bandwidth allocation for the common physical link.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for routing Flex Ethernet (FlexE) data in a network. In an example aspect, a method comprises receiving data on a first FlexE physical layer (PHY) group, determining, from first FlexE overhead on the first FlexE PHY group, that data in one or more time slots on the first FlexE PHY group is associated with a predetermined path in the network, determining a second FlexE PHY group for the data in the one or more time slots based on at least a portion of the predetermined path in the network, and sending the data on the second FlexE PHY group.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods of controlling a client layer of a multi-layer communication network that also includes a server layer. Such methods include receiving, at a client physical network controller (PNC), an indication of at least one characteristic associated with one or more paths between server network nodes in the server layer. The indication is received from a multi-domain service controller (MDSC) in the multi-layer communication network, and the server layer is controlled by a server PNC. Such methods include, based on the at least one characteristic, computing one or more paths in the client layer that facilitate protection and/or restoration for the one or more paths in the server layer. Other embodiments include complementary methods performed by a MDSC, as well as client PNCs and MDSCs configured to perform such methods.

Abstract: In one example aspect, a method is provided for tearing down a label switched path (LSP) through a communications network. The method comprises sending a first message towards an egress node of the LSP informing nodes of the LSP and the egress node of a tear down of the LSP, determining that one of the nodes of the LSP has not forwarded the first message along the LSP, and sending a second message to a controller of the communications network to cause the controller to communicate directly with one of the nodes to inform the one of the nodes of the tear down of the LSP.

Abstract: A method and system for supporting roaming broadband services. The method is implemented by a computing device in a parent provider network of a user having a unique user identifier to enable the user to utilize services associated with a broadband access service contract of the user of the parent provider network in a visited location in the parent provider network or in a roaming provider network. The method includes receiving a registration request from the user, determining the unique user identifier for the user, determining services for the user based on the unique user identifier, determining whether the user is connected to a home customer premise equipment (CPE) in the parent provider network, and configuring services and resources at a local data center in the parent provider network, in response to the user being connected to the visited location in the parent provider network.

Abstract: A method in a telecommunications network comprises acquiring values of one or more parameters relating to traffic flow between a first group of nodes in the network. The method further comprises using a first reinforcement learning agent to dynamically adjust a first routing metric used to route traffic through the first group of nodes, based on the values of the one or more parameters, so as to alter the traffic flow through the first group of nodes.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure provides a method for allocating traffic in a telecommunications network. The telecommunications network comprises a plurality of nodes, with pairs of nodes being connected by respective links. A plurality of demands for connectivity between respective first nodes and respective second nodes are allocated to the telecommunications network, with traffic for each demand being directed via a respective plurality of paths between the respective first and second nodes in accordance with respective weights assigned to each path.

Abstract: Examples relate to a method of segment routing in a network node (40) of a network comprising a plurality of network nodes (40,42). The method comprises receiving a segment routed packet (60) comprising a payload and having a segment route, and obtaining a target delivery time (106) from the received segment routed packet. The method further comprises determining (108) a time of arrival of the packet at a destination of the packet, and determining (110) if the time of arrival of the packet at the destination is prior to the target delivery time. For a determination that the time of arrival of the packet at the destination is prior to the target delivery time, transmitting (120) a packet comprising the payload towards the destination.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for locating a fault in an optical communication link. In one aspect, a method comprises determining a fault in a first optical link, and determining a fault in a second optical link. The method then determines that a first portion of the first optical link is co-located with a second portion of the second optical link and identifies, as a result of determining that the first portion is co-located with the second portion, that the fault in the first optical link is located in the first portion and/or the fault in the second optical link is located in the second portion.

Abstract: A path computation method involves receiving (200) a request for computation of a new path in the network, the request indicating a future time interval when the path is desired. Subsequently a future network status is generated (210, 212, 214), having a representation of availability of path resources at the future time interval, based on selected paths already reserved at that future time interval. Then there is a step of computing (220) which of the path resources to select for the new path according to the future network status. By generating this future network status when the future time interval is known, it can be generated in respect of a limited time interval rather than covering all possible future reservable times. Thus the benefits of time aware path computation can be achieved without the need for maintaining a huge database of availability at all future times, of all the path resources.

Abstract: A method (100) for managing the provision of a service between origin and destination endpoints over a communication network is disclosed. The communication network comprises at least two Autonomous Systems (ASs) and an Abstraction and Control of Traffic Engineered Networks Virtual Network (VN) between the origin and destination endpoints. The method comprises defining, at each of the origin and destination endpoints, a service segregation loopback interface corresponding to a subset of traffic belonging to the service (110). The method further comprises binding the subset of traffic to the VN by exposing the service segregation loopback interface defined at the destination endpoint as routing next hop only to traffic belonging to the subset (120).

Abstract: In one example aspect, a method is provided for tearing down a label switched path (LSP) through a communications network. The method comprises sending a first message towards an egress node of the LSP informing nodes of the LSP and the egress node of a tear down of the LSP, determining that one of the nodes of the LSP has not forwarded the first message along the LSP, and sending a second message to a controller of the communications network to cause the controller to communicate directly with one of the nodes to inform the one of the nodes of the tear down of the LSP.

Abstract: A method in a telecommunications network comprises acquiring values of one or more parameters relating to traffic flow between a first group of nodes in the network. The method further comprises using a first reinforcement learning agent to dynamically adjust a first routing metric used to route traffic through the first group of nodes, based on the values of the one or more parameters, so as to alter the traffic flow through the first group of nodes.

Abstract: A method of managing a virtual network, VN, comprising a plurality of VN members comprises associating (710) one or more of the VN members with a first group, the first group including VN members requiring dedicated resource allocations for their corresponding network tunnels, and associating (720) others of the VN members with a second group, the second group comprising VN members that may share resource allocations with other VN members of the second group. Paths are assigned (730, 740) through the one or more physical network domains for the VN members such that the assigned paths for the VN members of the first group provide dedicated resource allocations to each VN member of the first group and such that at least one pair of VN members of the second group traversing a common physical link share a bandwidth allocation for the common physical link.