DESC:CROSS- REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the priority of the provisional application with serial number 1660/CHE/2014 filed on March 28, 2014 with title, “A METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR HANDLING BACKHAUL AND LTE BASED RADIO ACCESS NETWORK AND PON BASED OPTICAL NETWORK USING SDN MECHANISM” and the contents of which is incorporated in entirety.

A) TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention generally relates to communication through optical layer network, (MPLS-TP) network, wireless (LTE) network and wireline (xPON) network and particularly relates to an implementation of Network Hypervisor Controller (NHC) based carrier Software Defined Networking (SDN) mechanism. The present invention more particularly relates to a method and system for implementing the Network Hypervisor Controller (NHC) for handling virtualization of backhaul and LTE based radio access network and PON based optical network using SDN mechanism.

B) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The service providers need to build massive infrastructure to transmit Bytes through broadband network. An end user charging model based on number of bytes transferred by the user is not sufficient to cover the cost of investment. Service providers need to explore the ways to generate revenue from Over-the-top (OTT) operators like GoogleTM, SkypeTM etc.

[0004] Further, to provide virtual network information which will be useful for OTTs to build network-aware applications, the service provider networks need to make some fundamental change in the present architecture of network. The current network architecture has a data plane, control plane and management plane. The data plane and control plane runs in the node and the management plane runs in the central location. The control plane is different in different technologies and is complex to implement and operate and is difficult to provide a useful virtualization to the OTTs.

[0005] One of the existing prior arts discloses a cloud gateway system for extending the security, manageability, and quality of service membrane of a corporate enterprise network into cloud infrastructure provider networks, and enabling the cloud infrastructure to be interfaced as if it were on the enterprise network. The prior-art discloses a hypervisor for an enterprise network but is mainly focused in providing the enterprise class applications like security. It uses VPN connectivity between the enterprise network and first virtual machine. The prior-art is mainly meant for enterprise network and not focused on carrier domain which uses a plurality of technology like OTN, MPLS-TP and/or LTE and/or PON.

[0006] Hence, there is need to provide a method and system for implementing a virtualization based on a centralized Network Hypervisor Controller (NHC) for handling virtualization of backhaul and/or LTE based radio access network and/or PON based optical network using SDN mechanism. There is also need to provide a NHC for providing a virtual network view by providing multipath information of the networks covering radio/optical access network, aggregation network and core network to OTT which allows the OTTs to increase bandwidth, to adjust content resolution and/or to convert user network interconnection from point-to-point (p2p) to point-to-multipoint (p2mp) and mp2mp based on the addition of user and type of application. Further, there is also need to provide a method and system for implementing for implementing a control plane in a centralized region connected to a node through high speed connectivity which provides connectivity to OTTs through an E-API.

C) OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for handling virtualization of backhaul and LTE based Radio Access Network (RAN) and PON based optical network.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a Network Hypervisor Controller (NHC) based SDN mechanism for service providers operating on optical network and RAN and/or FTTH based PON technology to increase the revenue through OTTs and to reduce cost of node elements used for the delivery of broadband services.

[0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for implementing Network Hypervisor Controller (NHC) and allowing NHC to interact with the NHC agents in each node running OTN, MPLS-TP/PBB-TE, LTE, xPON to control the process.

[0010] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for allowing an operator to increase the revenue per byte while at the same time reducing the cost per byte and improving the margin per byte.

[0011] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

D) SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The various embodiment of the present invention provides a system for handling virtualization of backhaul and LTE based Radio Access Network and PON based optical network. The system comprises a centralized Network Hypervisor Controller (NHC), a carrier based Software Defined Networking (SDN) mechanism for handling both a backhaul and Radio Access Network and optical access network, a plurality of Network Hypervisor Controller (NHC) agents running in a plurality of nodes in a network, a plurality of nodes comprising of optical transmission equipments, base station nodes and optical access node with transmission equipments having packet switching technology based on MPLS-TP and/or optical switching technologies based on optical transport network (OTN) and ROADM, a Radio Access Network(RAN) comprising wireless technologies based on a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, a Fiber to the Home (FTTH) based optical access having Passive Optical Network (PON) technologies, an external application interface (E-API) and a secured internal application interface (I-API). The centralized NHC interacts with the plurality of NHC agents through the I-API. The NHC processes information received from I-API before forwarding the received information from I-API to E-API and vice versa. The centralized NHC provides virtual network information relevant to an over-the-top (OTT) operator through the E-API to create a hierarchy between the OTT and a client node to adjust a data transmission rate/bandwidth, to adjust content resolution, to handle application level failure restoration and to monitor a given set of performance parameters of the client node. The hierarchy is created to reduce a complexity of the virtual network information, while abstracting out a network spanning backhaul, radio and optical access network and to ensure a secured access to the node. The NHC provides the relevant information related to the virtual network view to the OTT. The relevant information includes path information, path and user statistics data, congestion level in network, ability to create multicast end points. This information will allow OTTs to increase/decrease bandwidth, adapt screen resolution, convert user connection from point to point (p2p) to p2mp and mp2mp based on the user addition and the type of application.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the NHC agent is designed to control protection switching, frame switching, link handling, flow monitoring, flow rate limiting, frame queuing, frame policing and frame scheduling operations.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, each NHC agent is a software module running in a processor in the node in the network.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the I-API is software running on a processor in each network node and the I-API is designed based on a type of the node and a base communication technology implemented in the node. The NHC agent talks to NHC over the I-API.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, through the I-API, node agent in an OTN/DWDM node is configured to select a type of multiplexing or FEC, perform a mapping of LO-ODU to HO-ODU, perform a node based cross-connection or node based frame switching, adjust a bandwidth through ODU flex, adjust bandwidth by triggering a hitless addition or deletion of ODU, providing a node based protection of data transmission, change the grid bandwidth in flexi grid based ROADM, select the egress direction and colour of incoming wave. While performing a centralized restoration of data traffic in case of failures exceeding a preset value I-API can be used to inform the node agent of the alternate route(s). I-API is used by node agent to inform performance parameters of the node.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, through I-API node agent can be configured to perform a performance monitoring of a OTN/ROADM based optical transmission node or a MPLS-IP or PBB-TE based packet transport node by performing a localized data collection in a plurality of bins and uploading collected data periodically either through interrupt or by query process.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, through I-API, node agent in MPLS-TP node is configured to provide a predetermined path for a tunnel, create an optimal multicast path along with a protection feature, adjust a bandwidth by tweaking PW/LSP tunnel, CIR, CBS, PIR, PBS dynamically, providing a node based protection. In case of centralized restoration of data traffic beyond failures exceeding a preset value or in case of centralized path failure based computation on a large scale of a network, I-API is used to inform the alternate route(s). Further, the I-API is also used to inform performance parameters of a node to NHC.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, through I-API, a node agent in base station is configured to adjust a bandwidth by selecting and over-ruling local scheduling decisions on RBs based on a bearer associated with the RBs, perform a forced inter-RAN handoff of a customer from LTE to WiFi after authentication, provide a multicast by allocating RBs across MBSFN eNBs to increase cell edge performance, select a suitable radio in addition to a selection of RBs. I-API is also used to inform performance parameter of the node to NHC.

[0020] The various embodiment of the present invention provides a method for handling virtualization of backhaul and LTE based Radio Access Network and PON based optical network. The method comprises the steps of: dividing the network into packet backhaul, optical backhaul and radio or optical access network based on underlying technologies. This involves using LTE for radio access xPON for optical access. The aggregation layer based on packet backhaul technology based on MPLS-TP/PBB-TE, and core optical backhaul network consists of OTN/DWDM/ROADM node elements. Based on different technology, a plurality of types of node agent which are mutually different to one another is provided. Each node agent interacts with the Network Hypervisor Controller (NHC) over an I-API. NHC acts as centralized controller for controlling all the node agent(s) and to provide the virtual network information relevant to an over-the-top (OTT) operator through the E-API and creates a hierarchy between the OTT and a client node(s).

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the hierarchy is created to reduce a complexity of the virtual network information, abstract out a network spanning backhaul and radio access network and to prevent unsecured access to the node configurations. The virtual network information spanning radio/optical access network, aggregation network and core network is provided to present the virtual network view for the OTT which provides them a means to increase/decrease bandwidth, adjust screen resolution, provide application level session restoration, reroute access points, convert user network from point to point (p2p) to p2mp and mp2mp based on the user addition and the type of application.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, each node is a node running on a network. The network is selected from a group consisting of an optical transmission equipment, packet transport equipment, Radio Access Network (RAN), and optical access equipment.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the NHC is a carrier based Software Defined Networking (SDN) controller. The NHC is configured to handle backhaul network, LTE based Radio Access Network and PON based optical network, and wherein the NHC is connected to a NHC agent through I-API. The NHC is connected to the NHC agent through a hub-and-spoke or ring type physical/logical architecture. The NHC agent is a software module running on a processor at a base station node or optical access node or backhaul node. The NHC agent is designed to control protection switching, frame switching, link handling, flow monitoring, flow rate limiting, frame queuing, frame policing and frame scheduling operations.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the I-API and the node agent is designed based on a type of the node and the base communication technology is changed depending on the node.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the NHC processes information received from I-API before forwarding the received information from I-API to E-API and vice versa.

E) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings in which:

[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system for implementing the Network Hypervisor Controller (NHC) for handling virtualization of backhaul, LTE based radio access network and PON based optical network using SDN mechanism, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 2A-2B illustrates a data flow diagram for handling virtualization of backhaul, LTE based radio access network and PON based optical network using SDN mechanism, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart explaining a method of implementing the Network Hypervisor Controller (NHC) for handling virtualization of backhaul, LTE based radio access network and PON based optical network using SDN mechanism the flattened flush fastener, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Although the specific features of the present invention are shown in some drawings and not in others. This is done for convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the present invention.

F) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which the specific embodiments that may be practiced is shown by way of illustration. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that the logical, mechanical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system for implementing the Network Hypervisor Controller (NHC) for handling virtualization of backhaul, LTE based radio access network and PON based optical network using SDN mechanism, according to an embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 1, the system comprises a Network Hypervisor Controller (NHC) 101; a LTE 102 comprising a NHC client/agent 102a; a plurality of MPLS-TPs 103a, 103b and 103c, and wherein the plurality of MPLS-TPs 103a, 103b and 103c comprises a NHC client/agent 103a1, a NHC client/agent 103a2 and a NHC client/agent 103a3 respectively; and a plurality of OTNs 104a, 104b and 104c, and wherein the plurality of OTNs 104a, 104b and 104c comprises a NHC client/agent 104a1, a NHC client/agent 104a2 and a NHC client/agent 104a3 respectively. The NHC 101 interact with the NHC clients/agents in each of the nodes in a plurality of nodes running OTN (104a, 104b and 104c), MPLS-TP/PBB-TE (103a, 103b and 103c), LTE (102), xPON controls global but slow rate control processes while NHC client/agent in each node handles all fast rate control processes. The NHC 101 interacts with OTTs through an E-API and interacts with the NHC client/agent through an I-API as shown in FIG. 1.

[0033] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the system for implementing the Network Hypervisor Controller (NHC) for handling virtualization of backhaul and LTE based radio access network and PON based optical network using SDN mechanism comprises a centralized Network Hypervisor Controller (NHC), a carrier based Software Defined Networking (SDN) mechanism for handling both a backhaul and Radio Access Network and optical access network, a plurality of Network Hypervisor Controller (NHC) agents running in a plurality of nodes in a network, a plurality of nodes comprising of optical transmission equipments, base station nodes and optical access node with transmission equipments having packet switching technology based on MPLS-TP and/or optical switching technologies based on optical transport network (OTN) and ROADM, a Radio Access Network(RAN) comprising wireless technologies based on a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, a Fiber to the Home (FTTH) based optical access having Passive Optical Network (PON) technologies, an external application interface (E-API) and a secured internal application interface (I-API). The centralized NHC interacts with the plurality of NHC agents through the I-API. The NHC processes information received from I-API before forwarding the received information from I-API to E-API and vice versa. The centralized NHC provides virtual network information relevant to an over-the-top (OTT) operator through the E-API to create a hierarchy between the OTT and a client node to adjust a data transmission rate/bandwidth to adjust content resolution, to handle application level failure restoration and to monitor a given set of performance parameters of the client node. The hierarchy is created to reduce a complexity of the virtual network information, while abstracting out a network spanning backhaul, radio and optical access network and to ensure a secured access to the node. The NHC provides the relevant related to the virtual network view to the OTT. The relevant information includes path information, path and user statistics data, congestion level in network, ability to create multicast end points. This information will allow OTTs to increase/decrease bandwidth, adapt screen resolution, convert user connection from point to point (p2p) to p2mp and mp2mp based on the user addition and the type of application.

[0034] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the NHC agent is designed to control protection switching, frame switching, link handling, flow monitoring, flow rate limiting, frame queuing, frame policing and frame scheduling operations.

[0035] According to an embodiment of the present invention, each NHC agent is a software module running in a processor in the node in the network.

[0036] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the I-API is software running on a processor in each network node and the I-API is designed based on a type of the node and a base communication technology implemented in the node. The NHC agent talks to NHC over the said I-API.

[0037] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the NHC further comprises a multi-core processor with memory and server, vm hypervisors, and an Operating System (OS). The NHC can be a standalone server or blade server based architecture.

[0038] FIG. 2A-2B illustrates a data flow diagram for handling virtualization of backhaul, LTE based radio access network and PON based optical network using SDN mechanism, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The NHC client along with the data plane for LTE node will take care of all functionalities like LTE PHY, MAC as shown in the FIG. 2A. With respect to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the data flows through a RLC module 201, a MAC module 202 and a PHY module 203. The RLC module 201 comprises a segmentation module for segmenting data and an Automatic Repeat reQuest (ARQ) module 201a for achieving reliable data transmission. The MAC module 202 comprises multiplexing module 202a and hybrid ARQ module 202b for high-rate forward error-correcting coding and ARQ error-controlling. The PHY module 203 comprises a coding and rate matching module 203a, a modulation module 203b, a Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) module 203c and wherein the DFT is done only for uplink, and an antenna mapping OFDM modulation module 203d. A scheduler module 204 comprises a playload selection logic for controlling the segmentation module and the Automatic Repeat reQuest (ARQ) module 201a of the RLC module 201, a priority handling playload selection logic for controlling the multiplexing module 202a of the MAC module 202, a retransmission control logic for controlling hybrid ARQ module 202b of the MAC module 202, a code rate logic for controlling the coding and rate matching module 203a of the PHY module 203, a modulation scheme logic for controlling the modulation module of the PHY module, an antenna and resource assignment logic for controlling for controlling the antenna mapping OFDM modulation module 203b of the PHY module 203 as shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B.

[0039] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the NHC agent handles scheduling based on CQI, buffer status information as shown in FIG. 2B. The NHC agent coordinates with other LTE nodes to handle MBSFN (Multicast and Broadcast Single frequency Network) to provide multicast services. The NHC agent provides bearer information about bytes transferred, uptime, buffer status, CQI on user level. Increases and decrease of user traffic through increase and decrease.

[0040] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the system of the present invention comprises a centralized Network Hypervisor controller and NHC agent (which are running in all the nodes). The NHC is connected to nodes through high speed connectivity (for example 10 Gbps link). Further, the NHC can be connected in a hub-and spoke architecture or in a ring. There can be more than one NHC to provide redundancy for primary NHC failure. The NHC client is a software module running in a processor in any base station node or optical node.

[0041] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the NHC interacts with NHC agent through I-API logical interface. This may be different based on the different type of nodes and the base technology implemented in the node.
[0042] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the NHC interacts with OTTs through E-API. This is an interface which provides the virtual network view relevant to the OTT. The information from I-API is processed by NHC before sending it to E-API and vice versa.

[0043] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the E-API is a simplified abstraction of the network while I-API may handle higher level of information handling.

[0044] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the NHC client takes of 1+1, 1:1, 1:N protection, frame switching, handles link or flow monitoring, flow rate limiting, frame queuing, frame policing/scheduling. The NHC client along with the OTN data plane in OTN optical node will take care of OTN frame switching, OTN FEC, increase and decrease of bandwidth through ODUFlex as per ITU-T G.709 and Hitless addition and deletion of ODU using ITU-T G.7044, tandem connection monitoring; flow information about bytes transferred, uptime; linear (1+1, 1:1, 1:N) and ring protection. The NHC agent handles multicast frame forwarding through drop and continues cross connection. It handles DWDM MUX/DEMUX, ROADM, amplifiers as well. The NHC agent for packet node is based on either MPLS-TP or PBB-TE/PBB technology. NHC agent in the packet node takes care of flow bandwidth increase and decrease based on CIR and EIR, buffering based on CBS and EBS on a per flow basis, hitless increase and decrease of this bandwidth, linear (1+1, 1:1, 1:N) and ring protection; flow information about bytes transferred, uptime; handle point-to-point unicast and point-to-multipoint multicast frame forwarding.

[0045] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the I-API is software running on a processor in each network node and the I-API is designed based on a type of the node and a base communication technology implemented in the node. Through I-API, node agent is configured to select a type of multiplexing or FEC, perform a mapping of LO-ODU to HO-ODU, perform a node based cross-connection or node based frame switching, adjust a bandwidth through ODU flex, adjust bandwidth by triggering a hitless addition or deletion of ODU, providing a node based protection of data transmission, change the grid bandwidth in flexi grid based ROADM, select the egress direction and color of the incoming wave. While performing a centralized restoration of data traffic in case of failures exceeding a preset value, I-API can be used to inform the node agent of the alternate route(s). Further, the I-API is used by node agent to inform performance parameters of the node.

[0046] According to an embodiment of the present invention, through the I-API, the node agent is configured to perform a performance monitoring of a OTN/ROADM based optical transmission node or a MPLS-IP or PBB-TE based packet transport node by performing a localized data collection in a plurality of bins and uploading collected data periodically either through interrupt or by query process.
[0047] According to an embodiment of the present invention, through the I-API, node agent in MPLS-TP node is configured to provide a predetermined path for a tunnel, create an optimal multicast path along with a protection feature, adjust a bandwidth by tweaking PW/LSP tunnel, CIR, CBS, PIR, PBS dynamically, providing a node based protection. In case of centralized restoration of data traffic beyond failures exceeding a preset value or in case of centralized path failure based computation on a large scale of a network I-API is used to inform the alternate route(s). I-API is also used to inform performance parameters of a node to NHC.

[0048] According to an embodiment of the present invention, through the I-API, a node agent in base station is configured to adjust a bandwidth by selecting and over-ruling local scheduling decisions on RBs based on a bearer associated with the RBs, perform a forced inter-RAN handoff of a customer from LTE to WiFi after authentication, provide a multicast by allocating RBs across MBSFN eNBs to increase cell edge performance, select a suitable radio in addition to a selection of RBs. I-API is also used to inform performance parameter of the node to NHC.

[0049] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart explaining a method of implementing the Network Hypervisor Controller (NHC) for handling virtualization of backhaul, LTE based radio access network and PON based optical network using SDN mechanism the flattened flush fastener, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method comprises the steps of: dividing the network into packet backhaul, optical backhaul and radio or optical access network based on underlying technologies (Step 301). This involves using LTE for radio access xPON for optical access. The aggregation layer based on packet backhaul technology based on MPLS-TP/PBB-TE, and core optical backhaul network consists of OTN/DWDM/ROADM node elements. Based on different technology there a plurality of the types of node agent which are mutually different to each other, and each node agent interacts with the Network Hypervisor Controller (NHC) over an I-API. NHC acts as centralized controller for controlling all the node agent(s) and to provide the virtual network information relevant to an over-the-top (OTT) operator through the E-API and creates a hierarchy between the OTT and a client node(s) (Step 302).

[0050] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the hierarchy is created to reduce a complexity of the virtual network information, abstract out a network spanning backhaul and radio access network and to prevent unsecured access to the node configurations. The virtual network information spanning radio/optical access network, aggregation network and core network is provided to present the virtual network view for the OTT which provides the means to increase/decrease bandwidth, adjust screen resolution, provide application level session restoration, reroute access points, convert user network from point to point (p2p) to p2mp and mp2mp based on the user addition and the type of application.
[0051] According to an embodiment of the present invention, each node is a node running on a network. The network is selected from a group consisting of an optical transmission equipment, packet transport equipment, Radio Access Network (RAN), and optical access equipment.

[0052] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the NHC is a carrier based Software Defined Networking (SDN) controller. The NHC is configured to handle backhaul network, LTE based Radio Access Network and PON based optical network, and wherein the NHC is connected to a NHC agent through I-API. The NHC is connected to the NHC agent through a hub-and-spoke or ring type physical/logical architecture. The NHC agent is a software module running on a processor at a base station node or optical access node or backhaul node. The NHC agent is designed to control protection switching, frame switching, link handling, flow monitoring, flow rate limiting, frame queuing, frame policing and frame scheduling operations.

[0053] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the I-API and the node agent is designed based on a type of the node and the base communication technology will change depending on the node.

[0054] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the NHC processes information received from I-API before forwarding the received information from I-API to E-API and vice versa.

[0055] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method provides a hierarchical architecting of network both horizontally based on LTE/xPON on access, MPLS-TP/PBB-TE on aggregation, OTN in core to form a converged view of network and simultaneously doing a vertical hierarchy based on E-API, NHC, I-API and NHC client.

[0056] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the NHC spans all the domains such as radio/optical access, aggregation and core network to filter out OTT relevant information and the hierarchical I-API/E-API way of building the virtual network information.

[0057] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

G) ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0058] The various embodiment of the present invention provide a system and method for handling virtualization of backhaul and LTE based Radio Access Network and PON based optical network.

[0059] The method and system provides a virtual network view by providing multipath (k-path) information of the networks covering radio/optical access network, aggregation network and core network to OTT which allows the OTTs to increase bandwidth, to adjust content resolution and/or to convert user network interconnection from point-to-point (p2p) to point-to-multipoint (p2mp) and mp2mp based on the addition of user and type of application.

[0060] The method and system provides a mechanism for operator to improve revenue by providing virtual network information of all the OTT users using the service provider domain. The OTTs uses this information to provide premium services to its end users by preventing video pixilation by changing the video resolution converting stream to multicast and saving the bandwidth consumed, resiliency at application layer.

[0061] The method and system reduces the cost of service provider node equipment by centralizing some control plane functionality. The system and method of the present invention does not need any complex control plane protocol development, does not require faster processor and memory.

[0062] Although the embodiments herein are described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the disclosure with modifications. However, all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claims.

[0063] It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the embodiments described herein and all the statements of the scope of the embodiments which as a matter of language might be said to fall there between. ,CLAIMS:What is claimed is:

1. A system for handling virtualization of backhaul and LTE based Radio Access Network and PON based optical network comprising:

a centralized Network Hypervisor Controller (NHC),

a carrier based Software Defined Networking (SDN) mechanism for handling backhaul network (optical and/or packet), Radio Access Network and optical access network;

a plurality of Network Hypervisor Controller (NHC) agents running in a plurality of nodes in a network, and wherein each NHC agent is a software module running in a processor in the node in the network;

a plurality of nodes comprising of optical transmission equipment, packet transmission equipment, base station nodes and optical access node with packet transmission equipment having packet switching technology based on MPLS-TP/PBB-TE, optical transmission equipment supporting optical switching technologies based on optical transport network (OTN) and ROADM, Radio Access Network(RAN) comprising wireless technologies based on a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, Fiber to the Home (FTTH) based optical access having Passive Optical Network (PON) technologies, and wherein the NHC agent is designed to control protection switching, frame switching, link handling, flow monitoring, flow rate limiting, frame queuing, frame policing and frame scheduling operations at node; an external application interface (E-API); and

a secured internal application interface (I-API), and wherein the I-API is a software running on a processor in each network node; and wherein the I-API is designed based on a type of the node and a base communication technology implemented in the node;

wherein the centralized NHC interacts with the plurality of NHC agents through the I-API, and wherein the NHC processes information received from I-API before forwarding the received information from I-API to E-API and vice versa wherein the centralized NHC provides a virtual network information relevant to an over-the-top (OTT) operator through the E-API to create a hierarchy between the OTT and a client node to adjust a data transmission rate/bandwidth to adjust content resolution, to handle application level failure restoration and to monitor a given set of performance parameters of the client node, and wherein the hierarchy is created to reduce a complexity of the virtual network information, while abstracting out a network spanning backhaul, radio and optical access network and to ensure a secured access to the node, and wherein the NHC provides the relevant information related to the virtual network view to the OTT, and wherein the relevant information includes path information, path and user statistics data, congestion level in network, ability to create multicast end points, and wherein the said relevant information allows OTTs to increase/decrease bandwidth in the network, adjust screen resolution based on congestion, provide application level session protection, and can convert user network from point to point (p2p) to p2mp and mp2mp based on the user addition and the type of application.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the node agent in the optical backhaul equipment is configured through the I-API, and wherein the node agent is configured to select a type of multiplexing or FEC, perform a mapping of LO-ODU to HO-ODU, perform a node based cross-connection or node based frame switching, adjust a bandwidth through ODU flex, adjust bandwidth by triggering a hitless addition or deletion of ODU, providing a node based protection of data transmission, change the grid bandwidth in flexi grid based ROADM, select the egress direction and color of incoming wave, and while performing a centralized restoration of data traffic in case of failures exceeding a preset value, the I-API informs the node agent of the alternate route(s).

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the node agent is configured to perform a performance monitoring through the I-API, and wherein the node agent performs performance monitoring of an OTN/ROADM based optical transmission node or a MPLS-IP or PBB-TE based packet transport node by performing a localized data collection in a plurality of bins and uploading collected data periodically through interrupt or by query process.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the node agent in the packet backhaul equipment is configured, and wherein the node agent is configured to provide a predetermined path for a tunnel, create an optimal multicast path along with a protection feature, adjust a bandwidth by tweaking PW/LSP tunnel, CIR, CBS, PIR, PBS dynamically, providing a node based protection, and wherein the I-API informs alternate route(s) in case of centralized restoration of data traffic beyond failures exceeding a preset value or in case of a centralized path failure based computation on a large scale of a network, and wherein the I-API informs performance parameters of a node to NHC.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the node agent in radio access equipment is configured through the I-API, and wherein the node agent is configured to adjust a bandwidth by selecting and over-ruling local scheduling decisions on RBs based on a bearer associated with the RBs, perform a forced inter-RAN handoff of a customer from LTE to WiFi after authentication, provide a multicast by allocating RBs across MBSFN eNBs to increase cell edge performance, select a suitable radio in addition to a selection of RBs, and wherein the I-API informs performance parameters of the node to the NHC.

6. A method for handling virtualization of backhaul and LTE based Radio Access Network and PON based optical network, the method comprises:

dividing the network into backhaul, radio or optical access network based on a respective technology; with radio access based on LTE; optical access based on xPON, packet backhaul based on MPLS-TP/PBB-TE, and optical backhaul based on OTN/DWDM node elements; and

providing a virtual network information relevant to an over-the-top (OTT) operator from a centralized Network Hypervisor Controller (NHC) through the E-API to create a hierarchy between the OTT and a client node to adjust a data transmission rate, bandwidth and a failure restoration rate and to monitor a performance of the client node;

wherein the hierarchy is created to reduce a complexity of the virtual network information, abstract out a network spanning backhaul and radio access network and to ensure a secured access to the node, and wherein the virtual network information spanning radio/optical access network, aggregation network and core network is provided to present the virtual network view for the OTT, and means to increase/decrease bandwidth, adjust screen resolution, provide application level session restoration, reroute access points, convert user network from point to point (p2p) to p2mp and mp2mp based on the user addition and the type of application.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein each node is a node running on a network, and wherein the network is selected from a group consisting of an optical transmission equipment, packet transport equipment, Radio Access Network(RAN), and optical access equipment.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the NHC is a carrier based Software Defined Networking (SDN) mechanism, and wherein the NHC is configured to handle Optical backhaul, packet backhaul, LTE based Radio Access Network and/or PON based optical network, and wherein the NHC is connected to a NHC agent through I-API, and wherein the NHC is connected to the NHC agent through a hub-and-spoke or a ring type physical/logical architecture, and wherein the NHC agent is a software module running on a processor at a base station node or optical node or packet node, and wherein the NHC agent is designed to control protection switching, frame switching, link handling, flow monitoring, flow rate limiting, frame queuing, frame policing and frame scheduling operations.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the I-API and the node agent is designed based on a type of the node and the base communication technology is changed depending on the node.

10. The method according to claim 6, wherein the NHC processes information received from I-API before forwarding the received information from I-API to E-API and vice versa.