CN1375962A - Apparatus and method for automatic port-mark finding in different machine system - Google Patents

Abstract

A network unit in heterogeneous computer network telecommunication system automatically finds identifiations of the two ports using out-of-band signal to be connected with the network units via a particular link and any one of the two connected network units can be the circuit exchange unit or packet exchange network unit. One network unit initiates the port finding process and deliver SONET/SDH overhead signal to a network unit connected with the other end of the said link while the other network unit monitors the state of the port, and receives the network unit to identify the said port to be the port forming the relevant link channel when finding out changes of state of the port.

Description

The equipment and the method that are used for automatic port identification finding in the heterogeneous system

The present invention relates to determining of telecommunication system middle port sign, be specifically related to determining automatically of different machine telecommunication system middle port sign.

In 1876, in the no elevator loft of 3 floor in the Scollay of Boston Massachusettes Square district, Alexander Graham Bell sent by telephone wire and says a word.In the past 123 years, technological innovation has greatly changed telecommunications industry.For example, it is far from each other with " manual operations " system that telecommunication switching system has become, in manual systems, it is intervention by human operator may that an equipment (passing through hierarchic switching network) is electrically connected to another equipment, and in fact he is inserted into another circuit to a circuit.The direct electrical connection of two or more channels between this two points (channel is arranged on each direction at least), it is the connection that provides dedicated channel to be used for exchange message to the user, is referred to as circuit switching or circuit switched.The system that human operator may mostly has been used electronic switching system (ESS) (ESS) replaces, and in electronic switching system (ESS), various device is dynamically connected by electronic system certainly by network.

In addition, in many cases, signaling system adopts light signaling to substitute the electronics signaling or adopts light signaling to add the electronics signaling.Yet this switching system often still adopts circuit-switched technology, and this is a kind of technology that produces high-reliability service, especially for " in real time " communications applications such as speech, when Speech Communication, the momentary loss of channel is annoying, and the repeats lost of channel is unacceptable.Switching system for example, adopts tdma (TDM) by the circuit switching various telephone plants that can interconnect.Switching system can transmit digital telecommunications signal by the fiber path that accords with synchronous optical network (SONET) standard.This network comprises a plurality of network element, for example, and sonet network unit, SDH network element, or wavelength division multiplexed network unit.The circuit-switched network unit comprises any network element that accords with the SONET/SDH digital signals format.For example, at title the Technical Advisory (TA-NWT-000253 of " Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) Transport Systems:Common Generic Criteria ", Bell CommunicationsResearch, deliver September 6 nineteen ninety) in various signal formats are described, this article is incorporated in this is for reference.Know that following situation may be very important, which port in this system in the given network element (NE) is connected to the particular port of another NE in this system.

Though the SONET system can comprise the facility of this port identification, the network element in the circuit switching electrical communication system can utilize this facility to discern each port,, the network element in the packet switching system does not generally have the ability of port identification.That is, a kind of technology that is referred to as packet switching can be used for by telecommunications network transmission data.Utilize packet-switch technology, data send with grouping, and communication channel is just just occupied during transmitted in packets.After transmitted in packets, this channel can be used to transmit other grouping by other users.For example, can utilize asychronous transfer mode (ATM) to send the transmission of packetizing.Asychronous transfer mode (ATM) is a kind of connection-oriented transmission technology, and it utilizes the fixed-length block that is referred to as cell, and each cell comprises 5 eight bit group leaders' title and 48 eight bit group leaders' information field.The packet switching network unit, for example, ATM node or IP (IP) router is ignored the SONET signaling usually, otherwise it can be used for discerning the specific interconnected port in the telecommunications network.Therefore, require operator's intervention to finish this identification.This process is very consuming time, and may go wrong with high costs.Be referred to as different machine telecommunication system below utilizing circuit switching and packet switching network unit and adopting the system of SONET signaling.So the different machine telecommunication system that automatic port identification can be provided is the ten minutes needs.

Different machine telecommunication system according to the principle of the invention utilizes " band is outer " signaling to find the port-mark that interconnects between packet switch unit and the circuit switching unit automatically.The circuit-switched network unit and the packet switching network unit by using network management channel of interconnection, for example, Local Area Network network management link is found port link information (that is which port in the initialization network element, is connected to which port that receives in the network element) automatically.

According to principle of the present invention, its enable port interconnectivity discovery procedure that by sending the NE that the identification request message connects through network link to it, NE can be under various environment (for example, its initialization or restart).The identification request message is to pass through " outband channel " from the initialization network element, for example, can adopt the network management link of LAN form, sends to the reception network element.In a single day the initialization network element is waited for the affirmation signal from the reception network element, and receives this signal, just send test post to receiving network element from particular port.The test post that the initialization network element sends can be the transport level Overhead Message, and for example, SONET/SDH " K2 byte " protects message.After sending a confirmation message to the initialization network element, receive network element and begin their port of poll to detect which port acceptance test message.Detect its which port acceptance test message in case receive network element, this reception network element just writes down the port link information, and stops its port of poll.In addition, receive network element and send detect-message to the initialization network element by outband channel, this message comprises the port-mark that receives network element.After the reception network element receives detect-message, the initialization network element stops to send test post by the SONET/SDH link, writes down the port link information, and sends recognition and verification message to the reception network element by outband channel.

According to the detailed description below in conjunction with accompanying drawing, this area professional is expressly understood above and other feature of the present invention, aspect, and advantage, in these accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is the conceptual block diagram according to the different machine telecommunication system of 2 network element of the principle of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a form, and the definition of SONET/SDH channel status bit is described;

Fig. 3 is the conceptual block diagram of the different machine telecommunication system of link-attached 2 network element of SONET/SDH;

Fig. 4 is a sequence chart, and the process of automatically finding the port link information is described, the process that can adopt such as system among Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a state diagram, and the NE initialization according to the principle of the invention is described;

Fig. 6 is a state diagram, and the various states that active NE can present in the automatic discovery of port link information are described; With

Fig. 7 is a state diagram, and the various states that passive NE can present in the automatic discovery of port link information are described.

Shown in the conceptual block diagram of Fig. 1, comprise at least according to the different machine telecommunication system of the principle of the invention: a circuit-switched network unit 100 and a packet switching network unit 102.Each network element is passed through each port, for example, and the port one 04 (P1) of circuit-switched network unit 100, the port one 10 (P1) of port one 06 (P2) and port one 08 (P3) and packet switching network unit 102, port one 12 (P2), with port one 14 (P3), be connected to other network element.In the conceptual block diagram of Fig. 1, the port one 04 (P1) of NE 100 is connected to the port one 10 (P1) of NE 102 by link 116, the port one 08 (P3) that the port one 06 (P2) of NE 100 is connected to the port one 14 (P3) of NE 102 and NE 100 by link 118 is connected to the port one 12 (P2) of NE 102 by link 120.Every link 116,118 and 120 utilizes the SONET/SDH transport level, except the data of their transmission, sends the expense control information by link.

Though can utilize the control information transmitted in these links determining the port interconnection of network element 100 and 102,, packet switch apparatus (for example, network element 102) must relate to " byte processing " to utilize this Overhead.This additional byte is handled to bear and is forbidden for packet switching NE, or is inconvenient at least.Yet this port interconnection information is essential for some application, and the artificial discovery of this interconnectivity information and record also have important disadvantages.According to principle of the present invention, " band is outer " communication channel, for example, link 122 lays respectively in NE 102 and 100 with interface 124 and 126 communication channels that form.This outband channel can adopt the form of Local Area Network, and it connects one group of NE and management and control path is provided for the NE that so connects.According to principle of the present invention, NE supports a network transport level Overhead Message at least, and for example, SONET/SDH " K2 byte " protects message.In this illustrative embodiment; NE supports STS-1 line overhead K1 and K2 byte protection exchange; at Ming-Chwan Chow: " Understanding SONET/SDHStandards and Applications "; Andan Publisher; New Jersey; 1995, give among pp.2-25 to 2-28 and the pp.7-39 to 7-40 to discuss, it is incorporated in this is for reference.More particularly, NE supports this standard, is the K1/K2 byte definition that proposes in the table of Fig. 2 (bit 6,7 and and 8 definition only are described) at least.

According to principle of the present invention, circuit switching and packet switching network unit are used for the protection exchange and use K1 and K2 byte, utilize these bytes as identification signal, thereby can utilize automatic interconnection identification protocol (AIRP) to find port-mark automatically.Shown in the form among Fig. 2, bit code 101 and 100 is not pre-assigned.Utilize bit code 100 as AIRP SONET/SDH identification signal according to principle of the present invention.New Deal (AIRP) can utilize LAN to connect or serial link, adopts the transport layer of TCP as communication session.Utilize single AIRP session can find two port interconnections between the peer layer, in order to set up and to keep port interconnection information, the AIRP session moves in the time of should or restarting in each NE initialization.As described in detail below, NE can the discovery procedure of its enable port interconnectivity, and this is to realize to the NE that its connects by transmit port identification initiation message.

According to principle of the present invention, its enable port interconnectivity discovery procedure that by sending network element that the identification request message connects through network link to its, NE can be under various environment (for example, its initialization or restart).The identification request message is to receive network element (for example, network element 102) from initialization network element (for example, network element 100) by being with outer link 122 to send to.Initialization network element 100 waits for that from the affirmation signal that receives network element 102 in case receive this signal, just sending test massage to from particular port (for example, port P2 106) receives network element 102.The message that the initialization network element sends can be SONET/SDH " K2 byte " protection message.After sending a confirmation message to the initialization network element, receive network element 102 its ports of beginning poll to detect which port acceptance test message by link 122.Detect which port acceptance test message (the port P3 114 in this illustrative example) in case receive network element, receive network element record port link information, and stop its port of poll.In addition, receive network element 102 and send detect-message to initialization network element 100.This detect-message comprises the port-mark that receives network element, and it is to send by outband channel (that is, link 122).After receiving from the detect-message that receives network element 102, initialization network element 100 stops to send test post by SONET/SDH link 118, record port link information, and pass through outband channel 122 transmission recognition and verification message to receiving network element 102.

The conceptual block diagram of Fig. 3 is described atm network unit 300 and the SONET/SDH network element 302 that connects by link 304.In this illustrative example, the port of network element 300 (P1) 306 has following attribute:

Switch name=A

Slot numbering=S1

Port id=P1

The physical location of network element in the slot numbering identification equipment frame wherein, and port id refers to the port-mark that connects by link 304.The port of network element 302 (P2) 308 has following attribute:

TID＝B

Port id=P2

NADDR＝nb

Wherein TID points out TL1 sign (that is, the switch name), and port id refers to the port-mark that connects by link 304, and NADDR refers to the node address of network element.Though one of them network element is the SONET/SDH network element, and another network element is the atm network unit, but we suppose, these two network element are utilized the SONET/SDH of transport level, and the circuit-switched network unit is handled the SONET/SDH byte and is classified, this processing may be pretty troublesome for packet switching network unit (for example, atm network unit).Herein, term " SONET/SDH " network element and term " circuit-switched network unit " can exchange use, and term " atm network unit " can exchange use with term " packet switching network unit ".Network management link or control channel can adopt the physical form of LAN, and it is represented with circuit 310.

Network element NE-A 300 is connected with port between the NE-B 302 and finds the message sequence in the synoptic diagram key diagram 3 of Fig. 4.In this illustrative embodiment, when link 304 is at first installed and rebulid, or the controller node in the communication network (not shown) is when reinitializing, NE-A 300 usefulness physical link ID A.S1.P1 initialization, wherein:

A is the switch name of NE-A

S1 is corresponding slot No.

P1 is corresponding port No.

According to principle of the present invention, utilize following process can find the port link information relevant with link 304, this process proceeds to step 402 from step 400, and wherein NE-A sends AIRP_recognition_request message to NE-B by control channel 310.As described in detail below, AIRP_recognition_request message comprises the physical link id information of NE-A, A.S1.P1.After receiving AIRP_recognition_request message, the physical link ID of NE-A is arrived in NE-B recorder, A.S1.P1, and return AIRP_recognition_response message in step 404 by control channel 310 and give NE-A.In addition, in step 406, NE-B begins the sonet line interface of its those current free time of poll, that is, and and those sonet line interfaces, the channel status of its current circuit byte K2 (bit 6,7,8)=000 (free time).When NE-A received from AIRP_recognitionresponse message that NE-B returns, in step 408, NE-A began to insert identification signal (that is, test signal) to sonet link 304, below will describe this signal in detail.The channel status (bit 6,7,8 of K2) that detects a LI(link interface) in step 410 as NE-B is when being converted to 100 (test signals) from 000 (free time), the B.P2.nb state in this illustrative example, thus NE-B determines the port link information of this link.Promptly, because NE-B " knows " according to AIRPrecognition_request message, NE-A sends test post from slot S1 (port S1), and by means of its transformation from the idle condition to the test mode, test post is to receive at the NE-B port that is designated B.P2.nb, and NE-B finds that the port link information of SONET/SDH link 304 is: A.S1.P1 is connected to B.P2.nb.In addition, in step 410, NE-B stops poll and writes down the port link information.In step 412, NE-B returns AIRP_recognition_detected message (comprising B.P2.nb) by control channel 310 and gives NE-A.In step 414, after NE-A receives AIRP_recognition_detected message, it stops to insert the identification signal (bit 6 of set K2,7,8 get back to 000: the free time) to SONET/SDH link 304, and storage port link information: A.S1.P1＜-B.P2.nb, as the port joint access in port connection database or the table.Process proceeds to step 416, and wherein NE-A sends AIRP_recognition_acknowledgement message to NE-B by control channel 310, points out to discern the termination of circulation.In step 418, process proceeds to end.

The format and content that automatic port connects the protocol Data Unit (PDU) that adopts in the discovery procedure is below described, that is, and according to the new identification protocol (AIRP) of interconnection automatically of the principle of the invention.

Each AIRP PDU is the AIRP title, is thereafter AIRP message.

The AIRP title is:

Version

PDU length

Version:

2 eight bit group signless integers comprise the start context of this agreement.The version regulation AIRP protocol version 1 of this technical descriptioon.

PDU length:

The integer of 2 eight bit groups is stipulated the total length of this PDU in the eight bit groups not comprise version and PDU length field.

AIRP utilizes Type-Length-Value (TLV) encoding scheme to encode for the most information of carrying in the AIRP message.

AIRP TLV is encoded into 1 eight bit group the type field, is thereafter the Length field of 2 eight bit groups, is thereafter the Value field of variable-length.

????Type

????Length

????Value

Type

How coding Value field is explained.

Length

Stipulate the length of Value field in the eight bit groups.

Value

Eight bit group strings in the Length eight bit groups, its coding is stipulated in the type field treats explain information.

Define 9 AIRP type of messages altogether:

AIRP_Init?TLV：

????Type＝1

????Length＝0

Empty

AIRP_Ack?TLV：

???Type＝2

???Length＝0

Empty

AIRP_Nak?TLV：

???Type＝3

???Length＝0

Empty

AIRP_Close?TLV：

???Type＝4

???Length＝0

Empty

AIRP_recognition_request TLV:

The Value Field Definition:

Source address
	Message sequence No.
Port id

AIRP_recognition_response TLV:

The Value Field Definition:

Source address

Recognition_request message sequence No.

AIRP_recognition_detected TLV: The Value Field Definition:

Source address
	Recognition_request message sequence No.
Corresponding port id

AIRP_recognition_acknowledgement TLV:

The Value Field Definition:

Source address
	Reeognition_request detects sequence No.

AIRP_recognition_abnormal TLV:

The Value Field Definition:

Source address
	Recognition_request message sequence No.

AIRP stack initialization sequence is discussed in the state diagram of Fig. 5.In this illustrative discussion, we have exchanged hello message at hypothesis between two peer layer network element.The exchange of this hello message is the address that another network element is provided to each network element.If we suppose that the address of a NE is A1, the address of another NE is A2, and A1＞A2, then the NE with A1 address is configured to masters.NE with low address A2 is configured to the passive side to oneself.From following discussion, can know clearly the meaning of " masters " and " passive side " title.

State 1500 is referred to as " not existing " state, in case set up the TCP session with another network element, then this NE is converted to state 2500.State 2 is referred to as init state.At state 2500, if a NE plays role initiatively, then send AIRP_Init message to another NE by non-SONET/SDH channel (for example, control channel 310), it starts AIRP and sets up session.Then, initiatively NE is converted to state 3504.

On the other hand, if the passive NE of NE, then at state 2500, this NE waits for that initiatively session is set up in the connection of NE startup AIRP port.In case passive NE receives AIRP_Init message, it returns AIRP_Init message and gives initiatively NE, and is converted to open passive state 4506.When state 4506, if passive NE receives any message that is different from AIRP_Nak message, or time-out of its experience, then it sends AIRP_Nak message to active NE by control channel 310, and turns back to state 1500 from state 4506.Similarly, at the state 3 of open active state 504, if active NE receives the initial message from passive NE, then initiatively NE returns AIRP_Ack message and gives passive NE, and is converted to state 4506.If time-out of NE experience initiatively, or it receives any message that is different from AIRP_Init message, and then initiatively NE sends the AIRP_Nak message to passive NE by control channel 310, and is converted to state 1500.

If receive AIRP_Ack message at the NE of state 4506 from other NE, then this NE is converted to state 5508.Receiving any message or the time-out that are different from AIRP_Ack message impels this NE transmission AIRP_Nak message and is converted to state 1500.At the state 5 of mode of operation 508, all operation information guarantors that are different from AIRP_Close message will hold this NE at mode of operation 508.If NE receives AIRP_Close message or experience is suspended, then this NE send AIRP_Ack message to other NE and be converted to state 1500.

After in the discussion relevant, describing initialization procedure, utilize two NE of AIRP exchanging interconnection identifying information to be referred to as " AIRP peer layer " with Fig. 5.The AIRP peer layer can utilize the AIRP operation information to find and the transmit port link information.5 types AIRP operation information is arranged:

1) AIRP_recognition_request message is used to ask the counterparty to participate in the identifying that interconnects.

2) AIRP_recognition_response message is used for response request side.

3) AIRP_recognition_detected message is used for notice request side's id information that interconnects accordingly.

4) AIRP_recognition_acknowledgement message, the requesting party returns to Requested Party as acknowledge message.

5) AIRP_recognition_abnomal message, Requested Party is used to point out certain

Abnormal conditions.

The AIRP operation of Active Networks unit (packet switch unit, the atm network unit in this example) is discussed in the state diagram of Fig. 6.When node begins or reset, AIRP finite state machine (FSM) beginning (restarting).Process is in state 1 beginning of idle condition 600, and wherein we have finished system configuration at hypothesis.For example, the ATM NE (NE-A) of Fig. 2 is configured to point out which adjacent NE which link is connected to.Can be configured to know at this point which bar link which adjacent NE connects by though note that NE, at this point and do not know the interconnectivity of port.Link initialization can occur in the beginning/resetting time and the running time of system, and triggers the AIRP state-transition.In order to guarantee once have only an identification signal to send to the recipient, the initialization request of all input links can be placed in the formation of first in first out (FIFO), and wherein only a request at the formation top can trigger state-transition.We suppose that also the default channel state of initialization link (bit 6,7,8 of K2 byte) was 000 (free time).After handling any link initialization expense, ATM NE proceeds to the state 2 of solicited status 602.

At state 2 602, ATM NE sends AIRP_recognition_request message to the NE that connects.Be included in the AIRP_recognition_request message is the atm link numbering of current request link at the formation top.After sending AIRP_recognition_request message, this ATM NE waits for the response message of the NE that connects from it.Should be noted that according to the definition of passive NE herein, it is passive NE no matter this another NE is packet switching NE or circuit switching NE.As this NE during,, then this request is placed on the end of request queue if another LinkInit request message arrives at state 2.In case ATM NE receives AIRP_recognition_response message through relevant link from the NE that it connects, this opposing party (that is, active NE) is the ATM NE in this example, is converted to the state 3 of " insertion " state 604.

At state 3 604, the sonet interface driver that ATM NE triggers it is to insert above-mentioned test signal (that is identification signal) to corresponding to the link that is found port.In addition, ATMNE waits for from the AIRP_recognition_detected message that is connected to this link other end NE, and starts waiting timer.Under this state, if another LinkInit request message arrives, then it is placed on the end of LinkInit request queue this.In case ATM NE receives from the AIRP_recognition_detected message that is connected to relevant link other end NE, ATM NE just is converted to state 4606, and waiting timer quits work.Yet before NE received from the AIRP_recognition_detected message that is connected to relevant link other end NE, if waiting timer is overtime, ATM NE was converted to state 5608.

In case at the state 4 of detected state 606, the information that ATM NE record detects, for example, the in question A.S1.P1 of Fig. 4＜-the B.P2.nb link information.Can be placed on this information in database or the table, for example, port connects table.After this link information of record, ATMNE triggers its sonet interface driver to insert idle signal (000) to relevant link.In addition, ATM NE sends AIRP_recognition_acknowledgement message to the NE that is connected to this link other end, and starts waiting timer.Then, ATM NE is converted to the state 6 of wait state 610.Any other LinkInit request that arrives during the state 4 is placed on the end of request queue.

Temporarily get back to state 5608, ATM NE points out to have taken place unusually for the NE that connects, and removes link-request from the LinkInit request queue.If this formation is not empty, then ATMNE turns back to state 1.If this formation is empty, then ATM NE rested on state 5608 before another LinkInit arrives, and then, ATM NE is converted to state 1600.

At the state 6 of wait state 610, if ATM NE receives from the AIRP_recognition_abnormal message that is connected to this link other end NE, then it stops waiting timer work, and is converted to state 5608.Otherwise waiting timer is overtime, and ATM NE is converted to state 7612.When ATM NE resided in state 6, if another LinkInit request arrives, then ATM NE was placed on this request the end of request queue.

State 7 at hidden (wrap-up) state 612, ATM NE removes link request (also being referred to as " LinkInit request " and " AIRP_recognitionrequest ") from the LinkInit request queue, if this formation is not empty, then ATM NE is converted to state 1600.If this formation is empty, then ATM NE rested on state 7612 before another LinkInit arrives, and then, ATM NE is converted to state 1600.

The finite state machine of Fig. 7 (FSM) figure discusses the AIRP operation of passive network element (circuit switching unit, the SONET NE in this example).When node began or reset, AIRPFSM began (restarting).Process is in state 1 beginning of idle condition 700, and wherein we have finished system configuration at hypothesis.That is, the NE B among Fig. 3 should be configured to know which adjacent NE which link is connected to.We suppose that also the default channel state of initialization link (bit 6,7,8 of K2 byte) was 000 (free time).After receiving AIRP_recognition_request, AIRP FSM is converted to the state 2 of polling status 702.

At the state 2 of polling status 702, SONET NE begins its all line interface of poll, and these line interfaces are showed idle link state (bit 6,7,8 of byte K2 is 000), and the start detection timer.In addition, SONET NE sends recognition_response message to the NE that is connected to the link end opposite that stands the port attended operation.If SONET NE identification port-mark signal (that is, test signal), then SONET NE stops to detect timer, and is converted to state 3704.On the other hand, before any polled port received test signal, if detect timer expiry, then SONET NE was converted to state 4706.

At the state 3 of responsive state 704, SONET NE sends AIRP_recognitiondetected message and finds the NE of port link information to being connected to this link other end.AIRPrecognition_detected message comprises the sonet link numbering of this link.After sending AIRPrecognition_detected message, SONET NE waits for from the AIRP_recognition_acknowledgement message that is connected to this link other end NE.When receiving AIRPrecognition_acknowledgement message, SONET NE is converted to state 5708.

At the state 4 of notify status 706, SONET NE sends and points out unusual message takes place in this link, is converted to state 1700 then.At the state 5 of inspection state 708, SONETNE checks the current Link State that is identified link.If this link is got back to idle condition: 000, then SONET NE is converted to state 1700.If this Link State is not got back to idle condition, then SONET NE is converted to state 6710, and at state 6710, SONET NE sends AIRP_recognition_abnormal message to the NE that is connected to this link end opposite, after this, SONET NE is converted to state 4706, and later process as described above.

The description that more than provides the specific embodiment of the invention is just illustrative.We do not plan to give detailed description or the present invention are confined to disclosed the sort of form.By means of above narration, various variations and change are possible.Choose and describe these embodiment and be in order the most clearly to explain principle of the present invention and its practical application, thereby make one of skill in the art can utilize the present invention.Our idea is that scope of the present invention only is subjected to the restriction of appended claims.

Claims (26)

1. network element comprises:

A port is used to be connected to another network element, and this port arrangement becomes to support at least a network transport level Overhead Message; With

Outband channel is used for communicating by letter with other network element, and this outband channel is configured to transmit port identification request and receiving port identification request, this port transmit port detection signal that also is configured to combine with port identification request by the outband channel transmission.

2. according to the network element of claim 1, its middle port detection signal is that the SONET/SDH protection exchanges messages.

3. according to the network element of claim 1, its middle port detection signal comprises the port-mark of transmit port detection signal.

4. according to the network element of claim 3, wherein network element comprises: a plurality of SONET/SDH ports, and by a plurality of ports of poll to detect which port receiving port detection signal, this network element is in response to the reception of port detection signal.

5. according to the network element of claim 4, wherein by the storage port link information, this network element is in response to the detection of port detection signal.

6. according to the network element of claim 4, wherein by the network element of transmit port link information to transmit port identification request, this network element is in response to the detection of port detection signal.

7. according to the network element of claim 4, wherein network element configurations becomes poll only that those ports of idle condition are arranged, in order that the reception of detection port detection signal.

8. different machine telecommunication system comprises:

The circuit-switched network unit; With

The packet switching network unit, each of this network element comprises:

Be used to connect the port of network element, this port arrangement becomes to support at least a network transport level Overhead Message; With

Outband channel, be used for and the communicating by letter of one or more network element, this outband channel is configured to transmit port identification request and receiving port identification request, this port transmit port detection signal that also is configured to combine with port identification request by the outband channel transmission.

9. according to the system of claim 8, its middle port detection signal is that the SONET/SDH protection exchanges messages.

10. according to the system of claim 8, its middle port detection signal comprises the port-mark of transmit port detection signal.

11. according to the system of claim 10, wherein each network element comprises: a plurality of SONET/SDH ports, and by a plurality of ports of poll to detect which port receiving port detection signal, this network element is in response to the reception of port detection signal.

12. according to the system of claim 11, wherein by the storage port link information, each network element is in response to the detection of port detection signal.

13. according to the system of claim 11, wherein by the network element of transmit port link information to transmit port identification request, each network element is in response to the detection of port detection signal.

14. according to the system of claim 11, wherein each network element configurations becomes poll only that those ports of idle condition are arranged, in order that the reception of detection port detection signal.

15. one kind is used for the method that network element is determined the port link information automatically, this method may further comprise the steps:

A) arrive this network element through link-attached network element by the request of outband channel transmit port identifying information; With

B) the transmit port detection signal arrives through link-attached network element, and the port detection signal is a network transport level Overhead Message.

16. according to the method for claim 15, step B wherein) the port detection signal that sends in is that the SONET/SDH protection exchanges messages, and this message comprises the port-mark that sends message by port.

17., further comprising the steps of according to the method for claim 16:

C) the network element receiving port detects request, and monitors the reception of its port with the detection port detection signal.

18. according to the method for claim 17, step C wherein) may further comprise the steps:

C1) all its idle ports of this network element poll are with the state variation of detection port, this port receiving port detect-message.

19., further comprising the steps of according to the method for claim 17:

D) this network element storage port link information is with the detection of echo port detection signal.

20., further comprising the steps of according to the method for claim 17:

E) this network element transmit port link information is discerned the detection of the network element of request with the echo port detection signal to transmit port.

21. a method that is used for different machine telecommunication system autosensing port link information, this method may further comprise the steps:

A) network element arrives first network element through link-attached network element by the request of outband channel transmit port identifying information; With

B) the transmit port detection signal is to this link-attached network element of warp, and the port detection signal is a network transport level Overhead Message.

22. according to the method for claim 21, step B wherein) the port detection signal that sends in is that the SONET/SDH protection exchanges messages, and this message comprises the port-mark that sends message by port.

23., further comprising the steps of according to the method for claim 22:

C) the network element receiving port detects request, and monitors the reception of its port with the detection port detection signal.

24. according to the method for claim 23, step C wherein) may further comprise the steps:

C1) receiving port detects the state variation of all its idle ports of network element poll of request with detection port, this port receiving port detect-message.

25., further comprising the steps of according to the method for claim 24:

D) the network element storage port link information of detection port detect-message reception.

26., further comprising the steps of according to the method for claim 25:

E) the network element transmit port link information of detection port detect-message reception is to the network element of transmit port identification request.

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