Abstract: A network design method proceeds by generating cycles, evaluating the economics of building rings on those cycle, and building any economic rings. Generating a cycle involves picking two endpoints between which two disjoint link and node paths are desired—the two nodes selected are thus nodes on the candidate rings. Once a cycle is generated, various combinations of OADM/ADM nodes on the cycle are tried, from rings using three nodes to rings using all of the nodes on the cycle. The network design method considers a sequence of SONET/SDH and DWDM rings on each cycle generated, and compares the cost of carrying demand by SONET/SDH rings, DWDM rings, and an alternative dual-hub benchmark architecture. The ring constraints such as maximum circumference are applied before ring costs are calculated, and rings violating those constraints are eliminated from consideration.

Abstract: A method for designing a ring communication network is presented. A candidate ring defined by a candidate subset of nodes and a candidate routing is identified. A direction of communication is determined for each of a set of anticipated demands. The cost of operating the ring is calculated based upon the anticipated demands. Finally, the calculated cost is compared to a selected cost threshold to determine if a candidate ring is feasible, wherein the ring communication network comprises the candidate ring.