Control method for a telecommunication distribution system

Abstract

A computerized method for controlling an interconnected system of cross-connect distribution units having a plurality of user ports, wherein each user port of each of the CDUs corresponds to a unique logical port number, includes receiving a command including one of the unique logical port numbers and a service to be provided thereto. A physical user port corresponding to the logical port number included in the command is identified. A set of one or more commands to deliver to one or more particular CDUs within the interconnected system is determined, in order to arrive at a circumstance in which the service is provided to the identified physical user port. The determined one or more commands are communicated to the one or more particular CDUs. The method may be embodied as instructions stored on a storage medium and as a computer programmed to carry out the method.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a cross-connect distribution unit (CDU).

FIG. 2 depicts a logical representation of the CDU of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a command-and-control environment of the CDU of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a switching matrix within the CDU of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary mechanical embodiment of the CDU of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 6-10 depict other views of the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 5.

FIG. 11 depicts an exemplary embodiment of the switching circuitry on the main board of the CDU of FIG. 5.

FIG. 12 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a back-to-back arrangement of a CDU.

FIG. 13 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a spare services arrangement of two CDUs.

FIG. 14 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a cross-over arrangement of a CDU.

FIG. 15 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a spare user arrangement of two CDUs.

FIG. 16 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a method by which a controller may interact with a telecommunications application.

FIG. 17 depicts an exemplary search scheme to identify a proposed path to provide a particular service to a particular user port.

FIG. 18 depicts an exemplary search method to identify a proposed path to provide a particular service to a particular user port.

FIGS. 19A and 19B depicts the search scheme of FIGS. 16-18 being executed in a nested setting.

FIG. 20 is a schematic view of another CDU having features that are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 is a schematic view showing the CDU of FIG. 20 incorporated into a CDU network/system.

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram of an example distribution matrix suitable for use in the CDU of FIG. 20.

FIG. 23 is a front, top perspective view of a telecommunications distribution block having features that are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 is a top, rear perspective view of the telecommunications distribution block of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a schematic, plan view of a matrix card adapted to be mounted in the telecommunications distribution block of FIGS. 23 and 24.

FIG. 26 is a schematic view of a back-plane circuit board adapted to be used within the telecommunications distribution block of FIGS. 23 and 24.

FIG. 27 is a schematic view of a distribution cabinet housing a plurality of the telecommunications distribution blocks of FIGS. 23 and 24.

FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram showing a first interconnection option for interconnecting the telecommunications distribution blocks within the distribution cabinet of FIG. 27.

FIG. 3510 is another schematic diagram showing the first interconnection option for interconnecting the blocks of the distribution cabinet of FIG. 27.

FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram showing a second interconnection option for the distribution cabinet of FIG. 27.

FIG. 31 shows a block level interconnection scheme for the interconnection option of FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is a schematic diagram of the distribution cabinet having telecommunications distribution blocks interconnected in a matrix-style network.

FIG. 33 is another schematic depiction of the interconnection scheme of FIG. 32.

FIG. 34A is a schematic circuit diagram showing a plurality of matrix cards linked together by a test bus.

FIG. 34B is an enlarged view of one of the matrix cards of FIG. 34A.

FIG. 34C shows a wiring schematic for a telecommunications distribution block having a test bus that interconnects all the matrix cards of the block.

FIG. 35 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a modified CDU having features that allow the CDU to readily interface with adjacent CDUs so that special service signals may be distributed unevenly within a CDU network to meet demand.

FIG. 36 schematically shows an example telecommunications distribution block having features that are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 37 depicts a back plane circuit board that includes tracings or other circuitry that electrically interconnects the matrix cards of the block.

FIG. 38 depicts a more detailed schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of one of the matrix cards.

FIG. 39 depicts three matrix cards that are borrowing and sharing services within a given block and from block to block.

FIG. 40 depicts an alternative embodiment of a matrix card.

Claims

1. A computerized method of controlling an interconnected system of cross-connect distribution units having a plurality of user ports, wherein each user port of each of the cross-connect distribution units corresponds to a unique logical port number, the method comprising: receiving a command including one of the unique logical port numbers and a service to be provided thereto;identifying a physical user port corresponding to the logical port number included in the command;determining a set of one or more commands to deliver to one or more particular cross-connect distribution units within the interconnected system, in order to arrive at a circumstance in which the service is provided to the identified physical user port; andcommunicating the determined one or more commands to the one or more particular cross-connect distribution units.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a response from each of the one or more particular cross-connect distribution units, wherein the response indicates whether the command was successfully completed; anddetermining another set of one or more commands to deliver to one or more particular cross-connect distribution units within the interconnected system, in order to arrive at a circumstance in which the service is provided to the identified physical user port, if any one of the responses indicates that the corresponding command was not successfully completed.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of determining a set of one or more commands to deliver to one or more particular cross-connect distribution units within the interconnected system comprises: accessing a data set articulating a model of the interconnected system;performing a search of the data set to identify one or more possible paths from the identified physical user port to another port coupled to a device providing the service; andidentifying a set of commands to cause one or more particular cross-connect distribution units to establish a conductive path corresponding to at least one of the identified possible paths.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the data set is organized as a comma separated value (CSV) file.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the data set is organized as an extensible markup language (XML) file.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the data set includes an articulation of each port on each of the cross-connect distribution units making up the interconnected system, and further includes an articulation of an input delivered to each port on each of the cross-connect distribution units making up the interconnected system.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the input is a service description.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the input is a port on a cross-connect distribution unit within the interconnected system.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the command further includes one or more constraints, and wherein the act of determining a set of one or more commands to deliver to one or more particular cross-connect distribution units within the interconnected system includes determining whether a path corresponding to the set of one or more commands satisfies the constraints, if successfully completed by the one or more particular cross-connect distribution units.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more constraints includes a specification of a particular network port through which the service must be routed.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more constraints includes a specification of a maximum amount of signal loss to be incurred by a signal carrying the service along its path from a device providing the service to the physical user port.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more constraints includes a specification of a maximum number of switches through which a signal carrying the service may propagate along its path from a device providing the service to the physical user port.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more constraints includes a specification of a particular cross-connect distribution unit through which a signal carrying the service must propagate along its path from a device providing the service to the physical user port.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more constraints includes a specification of a subset of network ports through which through which a signal carrying the service may propagate along its path from a device providing the service to the physical user port.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the command includes a first set of constraints, and wherein one of the constraints within the first set includes a specification of a minimum number of constraints within the first set that must be satisfied.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein one of the constraints within the first set is a specification of a maximum number of constraints that must be satisfied from amongst a second set of constraints.

17. A computer in communication with an interconnected system of cross-connect distribution units having a plurality of user ports, wherein each user port of each of the cross-connect distribution units corresponds to a unique logical port number, said computer being programmed to carry out the following acts: receiving a command including one of the unique logical port numbers and a service to be provided thereto;identifying a physical user port corresponding to the logical port number included in the command;determining a set of one or more commands to deliver to one or more particular cross-connect distribution units within the interconnected system, in order to arrive at a circumstance in which the service is provided to the identified physical user port; andcommunicating the determined one or more commands to the one or more particular cross-connect distribution units.

18. The computer of claim 17, wherein the computer is further programmed to carry out the following acts: receiving a response from each of the one or more particular cross-connect distribution units, wherein the response indicates whether the command was successfully completed; anddetermining another set of one or more commands to deliver to one or more particular cross-connect distribution units within the interconnected system, in order to arrive at a circumstance in which the service is provided to the identified physical user port, if any one of the responses indicates that the corresponding command was not successfully completed.

19. The computer of claim 17, wherein the act of determining a set of one or more commands to deliver to one or more particular cross-connect distribution units within the interconnected system comprises: accessing a data set articulating a model of the interconnected system;performing a search of the data set to identify one or more possible paths from the identified physical user port to another port coupled to a device providing the service; andidentifying a set of commands to cause one or more particular cross-connect distribution units to establish a conductive path corresponding to at least one of the identified possible paths.

20. The computer of claim 19, wherein the data set is organized as a comma separated value (CSV) file.

21. The computer of claim 19, wherein the data set is organized as an extensible markup language (XML) file.

22. The computer of claim 19, wherein the data set includes an articulation of each port on each of the cross-connect distribution units making up the interconnected system, and further includes an articulation of an input delivered to each port on each of the cross-connect distribution units making up the interconnected system.

23. The computer of claim 22, wherein the input is a service description.

24. The computer of claim 22, wherein the input is a port on a cross-connect distribution unit within the interconnected system.

25. The computer of claim 17, wherein the command further includes one or more constraints, and wherein the act of determining a set of one or more commands to deliver to one or more particular cross-connect distribution units within the interconnected system includes determining whether a path corresponding to the set of one or more commands satisfies the constraints, if successfully completed by the one or more particular cross-connect distribution units.

26. The computer of claim 25, wherein the one or more constraints includes a specification of a particular network port through which the service must be routed.

27. The computer of claim 25, wherein the one or more constraints includes a specification of a maximum amount of signal loss to be incurred by a signal carrying the service along its path from a device providing the service to the physical user port.

28. The computer of claim 25, wherein the one or more constraints includes a specification of a maximum number of switches through which a signal carrying the service may propagate along its path from a device providing the service to the physical user port.

29. The computer of claim 25, wherein the one or more constraints includes a specification of a particular cross-connect distribution unit through which a signal carrying the service must propagate along its path from a device providing the service to the physical user port.

30. The computer of claim 25, wherein the one or more constraints includes a specification of a subset of network ports through which through which a signal carrying the service may propagate along its path from a device providing the service to the physical user port.

31. The computer of claim 25, wherein the command includes a first set of constraints, and wherein one of the constraints within the first set includes a specification of a minimum number of constraints within the first set that must be satisfied.

32. The computer of claim 31, wherein one of the constraints within the first set is a specification of a maximum number of constraints that must be satisfied from amongst a second set of constraints.

33. In a system comprising a computer in communication with an interconnected network of cross-connect distribution units having a plurality of user ports, each of which corresponds to a unique logical port number, a computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions, which when executed by said computer, cause said computer to carry out the following acts: receiving a command including one of the unique logical port numbers and a service to be provided thereto;identifying a physical user port corresponding to the logical port number included in the command;determining a set of one or more commands to deliver to one or more particular cross-connect distribution units within the interconnected system, in order to arrive at a circumstance in which the service is provided to the identified physical user port; andcommunicating the determined one or more commands to the one or more particular cross-connect distribution units.

34. The storage medium of claim 33, wherein the storage medium further stores instructions, which when executed by said computer, cause said computer to carry out the following acts: receiving a response from each of the one or more particular cross-connect distribution units, wherein the response indicates whether the command was successfully completed; anddetermining another set of one or more commands to deliver to one or more particular cross-connect distribution units within the interconnected system, in order to arrive at a circumstance in which the service is provided to the identified physical user port, if any one of the responses indicates that the corresponding command was not successfully completed.

35. The storage medium of claim 33, wherein the act of determining a set of one or more commands to deliver to one or more particular cross-connect distribution units within the interconnected system comprises: accessing a data set articulating a model of the interconnected system;performing a search of the data set to identify one or more possible paths from the identified physical user port to another port coupled to a device providing the service; andidentifying a set of commands to cause one or more particular cross-connect distribution units to establish a conductive path corresponding to at least one of the identified possible paths.

36. The storage medium of claim 35, wherein the data set is organized as a comma separated value (CSV) file.

37. The storage medium of claim 35, wherein the data set is organized as an extensible markup language (XML) file.

38. The storage medium of claim 35, wherein the data set includes an articulation of each port on each of the cross-connect distribution units making up the interconnected system, and further includes an articulation of an input delivered to each port on each of the cross-connect distribution units making up the interconnected system.

39. The storage medium of claim 38, wherein the input is a service description.

40. The storage medium of claim 38, wherein the input is a port on a cross-connect distribution unit within the interconnected system.

41. The storage medium of claim 33, wherein the command further includes one or more constraints, and wherein the act of determining a set of one or more commands to deliver to one or more particular cross-connect distribution units within the interconnected system includes determining whether a path corresponding to the set of one or more commands satisfies the constraints, if successfully completed by the one or more particular cross-connect distribution units.

42. The storage medium of claim 41, wherein the one or more constraints includes a specification of a particular network port through which the service must be routed.

43. The storage medium of claim 41, wherein the one or more constraints includes a specification of a maximum amount of signal loss to be incurred by a signal carrying the service along its path from a device providing the service to the physical user port.

44. The storage medium of claim 41, wherein the one or more constraints includes a specification of a maximum number of switches through which a signal carrying the service may propagate along its path from a device providing the service to the physical user port.

45. The storage medium of claim 41, wherein the one or more constraints includes a specification of a particular cross-connect distribution unit through which a signal carrying the service must propagate along its path from a device providing the service to the physical user port.

46. The storage medium of claim 41, wherein the one or more constraints includes a specification of a subset of network ports through which through which a signal carrying the service may propagate along its path from a device providing the service to the physical user port.

47. The storage medium of claim 41, wherein the command includes a first set of constraints, and wherein one of the constraints within the first set includes a specification of a minimum number of constraints within the first set that must be satisfied.

48. The storage medium of claim 47, wherein one of the constraints within the first set is a specification of a maximum number of constraints that must be satisfied from amongst a second set of constraints.