Patent ID: 7778893
Filing Date: 2010-08-17
Classification: G06Q,H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of optimizing access network costs for a carrier requiring switched facilities, dedicated facilities and multiplexers at hub locations to form an access network topology comprising at least a first, lower level of facilities and a second, higher level of facilities, the multiplexers for combining a plurality of N first level facilities onto a single second level facility, the method comprising the steps of: a processor performing a minimal cost analysis to determine the optimum number of first and second level facilities by: moving first level facilities from a first hub location to a second hub location; re-assigning first level facilities from one second level facility to another second level facility at the same hub location; and adding or disconnecting second level facilities based upon the movement and reassignment of first level facilities; wherein cost analysis is performed using the relation: where ce is a predetermined cost of a first level facility from an endpoint e to a network access point (a stand-alone first level facility), xe is defined as a number of first level stand-alone facilities from an endpoint e to a network access point, Cem is a predetermined cost of a first level facility from endpoint e to a hub location m, Y˜m is defined as a number of first level facilities from endpoint e to the hub m; Cm is a predetermined cost of a multiplexer and a second level facility at hub m; z., is defined as a number of second level facilities from hub m to a network access point; auqCostm is a predetermined cost for adding second level facilities at hub m; discCost.,is a predetermined cost for disconnecting second level facilities from hub m; a., is defined as a number of second level facilities to be added at hub m; and dm is defined as a number of second level facilities to be disconnected at hub m.