WO2019114958A1 - Remote monitoring of pluggable transceivers - Google Patents

Remote monitoring of pluggable transceivers Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2019114958A1
WO2019114958A1 PCT/EP2017/082709 EP2017082709W WO2019114958A1 WO 2019114958 A1 WO2019114958 A1 WO 2019114958A1 EP 2017082709 W EP2017082709 W EP 2017082709W WO 2019114958 A1 WO2019114958 A1 WO 2019114958A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
pluggable transceiver
interface apparatus
device parameter
pluggable
data processing
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2017/082709
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Alfredo Palagi
Marcello MORCHIO
Marco Bajano
Original Assignee
Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) filed Critical Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
Priority to PCT/EP2017/082709 priority Critical patent/WO2019114958A1/en
Publication of WO2019114958A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019114958A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L41/00—Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
    • H04L41/08—Configuration management of networks or network elements
    • H04L41/085—Retrieval of network configuration; Tracking network configuration history
    • H04L41/0853—Retrieval of network configuration; Tracking network configuration history by actively collecting configuration information or by backing up configuration information
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L41/00—Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
    • H04L41/06—Management of faults, events, alarms or notifications
    • H04L41/069—Management of faults, events, alarms or notifications using logs of notifications; Post-processing of notifications

Definitions

  • the invention relates to remote monitoring of pluggable transceivers in a communication network.
  • the invention relates to a cmunication network remote monitoring system, a node for use in a communication network, a method of pluggable transceiver remote monitoring in a communication network and a pluggable transceiver for use in a communication network.
  • Telecom and IT equipment makes wide use of physical external interfaces of electrical and optical pluggable transceivers meeting various industry standards that define electrical, mechanical and thermal characteristics to be used, including SFP, QSFP, and XFP, and/or telecommunication standards, such as those set by ITU-T and IEEE, that define the optical or electrical external interface to be used.
  • Pluggable transceivers must also comply with industry standards, set in Multi Source Agreements, MSA, that define inventory, alarms and Digital Diagnostic Monitoring, DDM, information that must be provided to a host board or system through the serial interface.
  • a telecom/ICT operator/network provider that wants to keep track of pluggable transceiver use and to perform statistical analysis on pluggable transceiver inventory, alarm or DDM data for maintenance or fault prediction, etc., currently needs to rely on a telecom/ICT management interface or a Network Management System provided by a vendor supplier of a system on which the pluggable transceiver is housed.
  • Non-real-time operations are possible by exporting the pluggable transceiver inventory, alarm or DDM data from various system software or management systems to be processed elsewhere.
  • a telecom network operator monitors the status of pluggable transceivers on its network for one or more of the following reasons: to verify which pluggable transceivers are in use at any moment, providing statistics for transceiver variants utilization; to identify the location of a certain type of pluggable transceivers and segregate them in case of known issues with interfaces or vendors; to verify the status of the network physical layer, independently from the system vendor alarm/warning reporting and to have a homogenous report independently from different systems that use pluggable transceivers; and to perform analysis on physical parameters, for example for fault or ageing predictions, by means of a dedicated software package.
  • a network operator currently has to rely on data collection through telecom/IT systems that use pluggable transceivers on their ports and on their management system.
  • Data collection from different management systems or nodes for example from different vendors or using different equipment technology, requires a significant adaptation effort of communication protocols and data formats, that has to be replicated for each different management system and vendor that data needs to be collected from.
  • An aspect of the invention provides a communication network remote monitoring system comprising a pluggable transceiver, interface apparatus and data processing circuitry.
  • the pluggable transceiver comprises wireless interface apparatus configured to transmit at least one device parameter of the pluggable transceiver.
  • the interface apparatus comprises a local interface configured for wireless communication with the wireless interface apparatus of the pluggable transceiver, for receiving said device parameter from the pluggable transceiver.
  • the data processing circuitry configured to receive and analyse said device parameter.
  • device parameter collection, monitoring and processing functions are decoupled from telecom/IT system software and management systems.
  • device parameters may be collected from pluggable transceivers without any need for integration of hardware and/or software of different vendors belonging to different technologies.
  • the system may enable fast implementation of new monitoring and advanced functions of device parameter processing and pluggable transceiver behaviour prediction, independent from the hardware and/or software hosting the pluggable transceivers.
  • the system may enable easier implementation of pluggable transceiver replacement campaigns before faults occur, in case of fault prediction implementation or massive replacement of risky lots. Changes to or enhancements of the data processing circuitry configuration do not require any modification in the connectivity between the pluggable transceiver and the interface apparatus.
  • the interface apparatus is provided at a network node and additionally comprises a remote interface configured to send said device parameter to the data processing circuitry.
  • the data processing circuitry comprises computational resources of a remote server configured for communication with the interface apparatus for receiving said device parameter from the interface apparatus. Multiple instances of relevant application software can be simultaneously active on different cloud servers to provide redundancy in data storage and processing capabilities.
  • the interface apparatus and the data processing circuitry are provided within a network node.
  • the wireless interface apparatus of the pluggable transceiver is configured to transmit the device parameter in response to receiving a device parameter request from the interface apparatus.
  • the interface apparatus is configured to: send a device parameter request to the pluggable transceiver in response to receiving a data collection request from the data processing circuitry; and send the device parameter received in response to the device parameter request to the data processing circuitry.
  • Device parameters stored at the data processing circuitry may advantageously be refreshed by issuing a data collection request to the interface apparatus.
  • the communication network remote monitoring system comprises a plurality of pluggable transceivers.
  • the local interface of the interface apparatus is configured for wireless communication with the plurality of pluggable transceivers.
  • the interface apparatus is configured to send a device parameter request to the pluggable transceivers and is configured to start sending received device parameters to the data processing circuitry following receipt of at least one device parameter from one of the pluggable transceivers.
  • the system advantageously has a scalable architecture, in terms of the number of pluggable transceivers that can be monitored.
  • the interface apparatus is configured to broadcast a device parameter request is to said plurality of pluggable transceivers.
  • the interface apparatus is configured to send a device parameter request to each of said plurality of pluggable transceivers in turn.
  • the at least one device parameter comprises at least one of inventory information and diagnostic monitoring information.
  • the communication network remote monitoring system comprises a plurality of interface apparatus and a plurality of pluggable transceivers.
  • the wireless interface apparatus of each pluggable transceiver is configured for communication with a respective interface apparatus.
  • the data processing circuitry is configured to generate a location signal when a pluggable transceiver is required to be replaced.
  • the location signal comprises an indication of a geographical location of the respective interface apparatus that the pluggable transceiver to be replaced is configured for communication with. It is therefore possible to use interface apparatus location information to physically locate pluggable transceivers installed on board/systems without access to the systems on which they are fitted, to identify a pluggable transceiver to be replaced.
  • the system advantageously has a scalable architecture, both in number of interface apparatus and pluggable transceivers connected to them.
  • Device parameters stored at the data processing circuitry may advantageously be refreshed by issuing a data collection request to one, a group or all of the interface apparatus.
  • each said interface apparatus is configured to send respective geographical location information to the data processing circuitry.
  • a pluggable transceiver additionally comprises an externally visible light source.
  • the data processing circuitry is configured to send a light source control message to the interface apparatus when a pluggable transceiver is required to be replaced.
  • the light source control message is configured to cause the interface apparatus to send an illumination command to the pluggable transceiver to cause the light source to illuminate.
  • the light source enables pluggable transceivers installed on board/systems physically located without access to the systems on which they are fitted, to identify a pluggable transceiver to be replaced. The location of a pluggable transceiver requiring replacement can therefore be coarsely identified by geographical location through the location of the respective interface apparatus, with exact positioning identified through the light source.
  • a pluggable transceiver is an electrical transceiver and the at least one device parameter comprises inventory information.
  • a pluggable transceiver is an optical transceiver and the at least one device parameter comprises at least one of inventory information and digital diagnostic monitoring, DDM, information.
  • the pluggable transceiver wireless interface apparatus is additionally configured to send alarm information to the interface apparatus. Proactive alarms notification is therefore possible, since alarm information is sent without requiring a device parameter request to be sent to a pluggable transceiver.
  • references to processing circuitry can encompass any kind of logic or analog circuitry, integrated to any degree, and not limited to general purpose processors, digital signal processors, ASICs, FPGAs, discrete components or logic and so on.
  • An aspect of the invention provides a node for use in a communication network.
  • the node comprises interface apparatus comprising a local interface.
  • the local interface is configured for wireless communication with wireless interface apparatus of a pluggable transceiver within the communication network, for receiving at least one device parameter from the pluggable transceiver.
  • the interface apparatus is configured to send the device parameter to data processing circuitry.
  • the node enables device parameter collection, monitoring and processing functions to be decoupled from telecom/IT system software and management systems.
  • the node may enable integration of hardware and/or software of different vendors belonging to different technologies in order to collect device parameters to be avoided.
  • the node may enable fast implementation of new monitoring and advanced functions of device parameter processing and pluggable transceiver behaviour prediction, independent from the hardware and/or software hosting the pluggable transceivers.
  • the node may enable easier implementation of pluggable transceiver replacement campaigns before faults occur, in case of fault prediction implementation or massive replacement of risky lots. Changes to or enhancements of the data processing circuitry configuration do not require any modification in the connectivity between the pluggable transceiver and the interface apparatus.
  • the node additionally comprises a remote interface configured to send the device parameter to remote data processing circuitry.
  • the node additionally comprises data processing circuitry configured to receive and analyse said device parameter.
  • the interface apparatus is configured to: send a device parameter request to a pluggable transceiver in response to receiving a data collection request from the data processing circuitry; and send the device parameter received in response to the device parameter request to the data processing circuitry.
  • Device parameters stored at data processing circuitry may advantageously be refreshed through a data collection request received at the interface apparatus.
  • the local interface of the interface apparatus is configured for wireless communication with a plurality of pluggable transceivers.
  • the interface apparatus is configured to send a device parameter request to the pluggable transceivers and is configured to start sending received device parameters to the data processing circuitry following receipt of at least one device parameter from one of the pluggable transceivers.
  • the node advantageously has a scalable architecture, in terms of the number of pluggable transceivers that can be monitored.
  • the interface apparatus is configured to broadcast a device parameter request is to said plurality of pluggable transceivers.
  • the interface apparatus is configured to send a device parameter request to each of said plurality of pluggable transceivers in turn.
  • the at least one device parameter comprises at least one of inventory information and diagnostic monitoring information.
  • the interface apparatus is configured to send geographical location information of the node to the data processing circuitry.
  • An aspect of the invention provides a method of pluggable transceiver remote monitoring in a communication network.
  • the method comprises steps of: receiving a wireless communication signal from a pluggable transceiver comprising an indication of at least one device parameter of the pluggable transceiver; and analysing said device parameter.
  • the method comprises receiving a data collection request; sending a device parameter request to the pluggable transceiver in response to receiving the data collection request; and sending the device parameter received in response to the device parameter request to data processing circuitry.
  • the method comprises sending device parameter requests to a plurality of pluggable transceivers in response to receiving the data collection request; and sending received device parameters to the data processing circuitry following receipt of at least one device parameter from one of the pluggable transceivers.
  • a device parameter request is broadcast to said plurality of pluggable transceivers.
  • a device parameter request is sent to each of said plurality of pluggable transceivers in turn.
  • the method comprises generating a location signal when a pluggable transceiver is required to be replaced.
  • the location signal comprises an indication of a geographical location of the interface apparatus that the pluggable transceiver to be replaced is configured for communication with.
  • the method comprises receiving a light source control message when a pluggable transceiver is required to be replaced; and sending an illumination command to the pluggable transceiver to cause the light source to illuminate.
  • the light source control message is configured to cause the illumination command to be sent.
  • An aspect of the invention provides a pluggable transceiver for use in a communication network.
  • the pluggable transceiver comprises wireless interface apparatus configured to transmit at least one device parameter of the pluggable transceiver.
  • the wireless interface apparatus is configured for communication with a respective interface apparatus.
  • the wireless interface apparatus is configured to transmit device parameters in response to receiving a device parameter request from an interface apparatus.
  • the device parameters comprise at least one of inventory information and diagnostic monitoring information.
  • the pluggable transceiver additionally comprises an externally visible light source.
  • the pluggable transceiver is configured to receive an illumination command configured to cause the light source to illuminate.
  • the light source enables pluggable transceivers installed on board/systems physically located without access to the systems on which they are fitted, to identify a pluggable transceiver to be replaced.
  • a pluggable transceiver is an electrical transceiver and the at least one device parameter comprises inventory information.
  • a pluggable transceiver is an optical transceiver and the at least one device parameter comprises at least one of inventory information and digital diagnostic monitoring, DDM, information.
  • the wireless interface apparatus is additionally configured to send alarm information to the interface apparatus. Proactive alarms notification is therefore possible, since alarm information is sent without requiring a device parameter request to be sent to a pluggable transceiver.
  • An aspect of the invention provides a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out any of the steps of the method of pluggable transceiver remote monitoring in a communication network.
  • a carrier containing a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out any of the steps of the method of pluggable transceiver remote monitoring in a communication network.
  • the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or computer readable storage medium.
  • FIGS 1 to 5 illustrate communication network remote monitoring systems according to embodiments of the invention
  • FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate nodes for use in a communication network, according to embodiments of the invention.
  • FIGS 8 and 9 illustrate pluggable transceivers according to embodiments of the invention.
  • FIGS 10 to 14 illustrate steps of methods of pluggable transceiver remote monitoring in a communication network, according to embodiments of the invention.
  • an embodiment of the invention provides a communication network remote monitoring system 100 comprising a pluggable transceiver 1 10, interface apparatus 120 and data processing circuitry 130.
  • the pluggable transceiver comprises wireless interface apparatus 1 12 configured to transmit at least one device parameter of the pluggable transceiver.
  • the wireless interface apparatus is configured for communication with the interface apparatus 120 and comprises wireless receiver apparatus configured to receive wireless signals from the interface apparatus 120 and wireless transmitter apparatus configured to transmit wireless signals to the interface apparatus.
  • the interface apparatus comprises a local interface 122 configured for wireless communication 1 14 with the wireless interface apparatus of the pluggable transceiver, for receiving the at least one device parameter from the pluggable transceiver.
  • the local interface comprises a wireless transceiver comprising wireless receiver apparatus configured to receive wireless signals from the pluggable transceiver and wireless transmitter apparatus, configured to transmit wireless signals to the pluggable transceiver.
  • the wireless interface apparatus and the local interface may be configured according to a known wireless communication standard, such as wi-fi or Bluetooth.
  • the data processing circuitry is configured to receive and analyse the at least one device parameter.
  • the interface apparatus is provided at a network node 140 and additionally comprises a remote interface 124 configured to send said device parameter to the data processing circuitry.
  • the remote interface may be configured for communication with the data processing circuitry via a connection 126 that may be wireline or wireless, operating for example according to the 3G or 4G standards.
  • a communication network remote monitoring system 200 is illustrated in Figure 2.
  • the data processing circuitry 230 is provided within a network node, along with the interface apparatus 220.
  • a connection 222 is provided between the interface apparatus and the data processing circuitry, and the interface apparatus is configured to send the at least one device parameter to the data processing circuitry.
  • the data processing circuitry 130, 230 is configured to send a data collection request to the interface apparatus 120, 220.
  • the interface apparatus 120, 220 is configured to send a device parameter request to the pluggable transceiver in response to receiving a data collection request from the data processing circuitry 130, 230.
  • the wireless interface apparatus 1 12 of the pluggable transceiver 1 10 is configured to transmit the at least one device parameter in response to receiving a device parameter request from the interface apparatus 120, 220.
  • the interface apparatus is configured to send the at least one device parameter received from the pluggable transceiver 1 10, in response to the device parameter request, to the data processing circuitry.
  • the pluggable transceiver 1 10 is an electrical transceiver and the at least one device parameter comprises inventory information.
  • the pluggable transceiver 1 10 is an optical transceiver and the at least one device parameter comprises at least one of inventory information and digital diagnostic monitoring, DDM, information.
  • a communication network remote monitoring system 300 according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 3.
  • the data processing circuitry comprises computational resources of a cloud server 330 configured for communication with the interface apparatus 120 at a node 310, for receiving the at least one device parameter from the interface apparatus.
  • the remote interface 124 is configured for communication with the remote server via the internet
  • the cloud server 330 is configured to implement a data processing software application configured to receive and analyse the at least one device parameter.
  • a communication network remote monitoring system 400 according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 4.
  • the system 400 of this embodiment comprises a plurality, n, of pluggable transceivers 1 10.
  • the local interface 122 of the interface apparatus 420 is configured for wireless communication with the plurality of pluggable transceivers.
  • the data processing circuitry 130, 230 is configured to send a data collection request to the interface apparatus 420, via the remote interface 422 and connection 424.
  • the interface apparatus is configured to send respective device parameter requests to the pluggable transceivers, either one by one in turn or in a broadcast mode, following receipt of a data collection request from the data processing circuitry.
  • the interface apparatus is configured to send the at least one device parameter received from each pluggable transceiver to the data processing circuitry ; the interface apparatus starts sending the device parameters to the data processing circuitry after receiving the at least one device parameter from one of the pluggable transceivers.
  • a communication network remote monitoring system 500 according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 5.
  • the system 500 of this embodiment comprises a plurality of pluggable transceivers 1 10 and a plurality of nodes 140, each comprising interface apparatus 420.
  • the wireless interface apparatus 1 12 of each pluggable transceiver is configured for communication with the local interface 122 of the interface apparatus 420 of a respective node.
  • the data processing circuitry comprises computational resources of cloud servers 330, 510, each of which are configured to implement a data processing software application configured to receive and analyse the at least one device parameter. Working and protection instances of the data processing software application are therefore provided.
  • the data processing circuitry 130, 230, 330, 510 is configured to generate a location signal when a pluggable transceiver is required to be replaced.
  • the location signal comprises an indication of a geographical location of the respective interface apparatus 120, 220, 420 that the pluggable transceiver to be replaced is configured for communication with.
  • a pluggable transceiver 1 10 additionally comprises an externally visible light source.
  • the data processing circuitry 130, 330 is configured to send a light source control message to the interface apparatus when a pluggable transceiver is required to be replaced.
  • the light source control message is configured to cause the interface apparatus to send an illumination command to the pluggable transceiver to cause the light source to illuminate.
  • An embodiment of the invention provides a node 600 for a communication network.
  • the node comprises interface apparatus 610 comprising a local interface 620 and a remote interface 630.
  • the local interface is configured for wireless communication with wireless interface apparatus of a pluggable transceiver 1 10 within the communication network, for receiving at least one device parameter from the pluggable transceiver.
  • the remote interface is configured to send the at least one device parameter to remote data processing circuitry.
  • an embodiment of the invention provides a node 700 for a communication network in which the node additionally comprises data processing circuitry 730 configured to receive and analyse the at least one device parameter.
  • Figure 8 illustrates a pluggable transceiver 800 according to an embodiment of the invention, for use in a communication network.
  • the pluggable transceiver 800 may be an electrical pluggable transceiver or an optical pluggable transceiver compliant with any industry standard, such as Small Form-factor Pluggable, SFP, Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable, QSFP, 10Gigabit Small Form-factor Pluggable, XFP, or C form-factor Pluggable, CFP.
  • the pluggable transceiver comprises a microcontroller 810, an EEPROM memory 820, wireless interface apparatus 830, 832 and a transceiver 840, which may be an electrical transceiver or an optical transceiver.
  • the wireless interface apparatus is configured to transmit at least one device parameter of the pluggable transceiver, and comprises a wireless interface chip 830 and a wireless antenna 832.
  • the wireless interface chip 830 comprises wireless transmitter apparatus and wireless receiver apparatus, configured for communication with the antenna 832.
  • the wireless antenna 832 is configured to transmit and receive wireless signals.
  • the wireless interface apparatus may be configured according to a known wireless communication standard, such as wi-fi or Bluetooth.
  • the transceiver 840 comprises a transmitter and a receiver.
  • the microcontroller 810 is configured to make the content of a memory map in the EEPROM memory available, in read only mode, on the wireless interface 830, 832, in addition to on a standardized serial interface 812.
  • FIG. 9 illustrates a pluggable transceiver 900 for use in a communication network, according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the pluggable transceiver additionally comprises an externally visible light source, which in this embodiment comprises an LED 910.
  • the pluggable transceiver is configured for location in a host board or system 920.
  • the LED 910 is located on the pluggable transceiver such that when the pluggable transceiver is located in the host board or system the LED is on an outer side of the host board or system.
  • the wireless interface chip 830 and antenna 832 are configured to transmit the at least one device parameter in response to receiving a device parameter request.
  • the pluggable transceiver 800, 900 which may be electrical or optical, is compliant with an industry standard, such as Small Form-factor Pluggable, SFP, Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable, QSFP, 10Gigabit Small Form-factor Pluggable, XFP, or C form-factor Pluggable, CFP.
  • the pluggable transceiver comprises a microcontroller 810, an EEPROM memory 820, and wireless interface apparatus comprising a wireless interface chip 830 and a wireless antenna 832.
  • the microcontroller 810 is configured to make the content of a memory map in the EEPROM memory available, in read only mode, on the wireless interface 830, 832, in addition to its standardized serial interface 812 to a host card 920.
  • the transceiver 840 comprises a transmitter and a receiver.
  • the pluggable transceiver 800, 900 When powered in a host card the pluggable transceiver 800, 900 starts a wireless attach protocol towards an available interface apparatus 120; the attach protocol depends on the chosen wireless technology, such as wi-fi or Bluetooth.
  • the pluggable transceiver is configured to keep alive the connection with the nearest interface apparatus, so that it is able to provide a dump of its memory content on request from the interface apparatus.
  • the pluggable transceiver is configured to monitor the strengths of signals received from other interface apparatus located nearby, to enable handover to another interface apparatus in case of a failure of the interface apparatus to which is currently attached.
  • the interface apparatus 420 implements communication between a cloud server 330 and any pluggable transceivers 1 10 connected to itself.
  • the interface apparatus 420 has two types of interface: a wireless local interface 122 and remote interface 422.
  • the wireless local interface is configured with the same wireless technology as used at the pluggable transceivers and configured to enable a plurality of pluggable transceiver to be attached to it; the maximum number of pluggable transceiver that a wireless local interface 122 can attach is defined by the wireless technology being used.
  • the remote interface may be a wireline (copper or fibre) or a 2G/3G/4G/5G wireless interface relying on, for example, a commercial mobile network.
  • the remote interface can be connected to the internet 320 either directly or through a private IP network.
  • the interface apparatus 420 On its wireless local interface, the interface apparatus 420 establishes and keeps alive connectivity towards any pluggable transceivers 1 10 located nearby that require access to it; the mechanisms to require access and to keep alive connection are specific of the wireless protocol used.
  • an interface apparatus 420 When an interface apparatus 420 is powered on, it first establishes a connection on its remote interface 422 towards the cloud server 330, and sends identification and location parameters. Once a connection to the cloud server is established, the interface apparatus turns on its local interface and accepts incoming connections requested by pluggable transceivers.
  • the interface apparatus When the interface apparatus receives a data collection request from the cloud server, it starts the collection by sending a memory dump request to all pluggable transceivers connected to it; the memory dump request may be sent one by one to the pluggable transceivers or broadcast to all of the pluggable transceivers. After reception of device parameters from one pluggable transceiver, the interface apparatus starts retransmission to the cloud server, for example through a TCP protocol, on the internet. The data collection process ends when the device parameters received from the last pluggable transceiver connected to the interface apparatus are transmitted to the cloud server.
  • a new pluggable transceiver is powered on and starts an attaching procedure to the interface apparatus, the connection is established but the memory map is not collected and transmitted to the cloud server until a data collection request is received from the cloud server.
  • the cloud server 330 can be any software running on a cloud environment that uses the network of connected interface apparatus, and the underlying pluggable transceivers, to collect, store and process device parameters of all reachable pluggable transceivers and perform analysis of the received device parameters. For example, the receive device parameters may be analysed: to obtain or update network pluggable transceiver inventory and geographical locations; perform statistical analysis of environmental conditions; perform fault prediction and implement advanced replacement strategies; and to enable massive replacement readiness.
  • the cloud server can be changed or enhanced in its features without any impact on the communication network.
  • the cloud server maintains a database built from information received from the pluggable transceiver memory maps and records the physical location of the respective interface apparatus.
  • the database is periodically refreshed by issuing a data collection request to one, a group or all interface apparatus connected to the cloud server. Multiple instances of the cloud server can be simultaneously running to provide redundancy for data storage and processing.
  • the device parameter collection signalling between the pluggable transceiver 800, 900 interface apparatus 420 and cloud server 330 is illustrated in Table 1.
  • the cloud server can send a request to one or more interface apparatus to send an“LED flashing” command to a pluggable transceiver 900, to cause an onboard LED 910 to flash, to allow location of one or more pluggable transceivers if a replacement has to be done.
  • the pluggable transceiver location signalling between the pluggable transceiver 900, interface apparatus 420 and cloud server 330 is illustrated in Table 2.
  • Table 2 Pluggable transceiver location signalling between pluggable transceiver, interface apparatus and cloud server.
  • the wireless interface apparatus 1 12, 830, 832 is additionally configured to send alarm information to the interface apparatus 120, 220, 330, 420, 610. Proactive alarms notification is therefore possible, since alarm information is sent without requiring a device parameter request to be sent to a pluggable transceiver.
  • the interface apparatus may be configured to discard alarms/warning received from pluggable modules. Alternatively, the interface apparatus may be configured to request alarms/warnings variations from pluggable modules and to send received alarms/warnings to the cloud server.
  • Alarm signalling between the wireless interface apparatus 1 12, 830, 832 of the pluggable transceiver, the interface apparatus 420 and the cloud server 330 is illustrated in Table 3. Two types of alarm signalling are supported. In type 1 alarm signalling, the cloud server is configured to instruct the interface apparatus to discard proactive alarms/warnings notifications received from pluggable transceivers. In type 2 alarm signalling, the cloud server allows the interface apparatus to request alarms/warnings variations from pluggable transceivers and to send received alarms/warnings to the cloud server.
  • Table 3 Alarm signalling between pluggable transceiver, interface apparatus and cloud server.
  • Figure 10 illustrates the steps of a method 1000 of pluggable transceiver remote monitoring in a communication network, according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the method comprises receiving 1010 a wireless communication signal from a pluggable transceiver.
  • the signal comprises an indication of at least one device parameter of the pluggable transceiver.
  • the method comprises analysing 1012 the at least one device parameter.
  • Figure 11 illustrates the steps of a method 1 100 of pluggable transceiver remote monitoring in a communication network, according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the method 1100 comprises receiving 1110 a data collection request and sending 1112 a device parameter request to the pluggable transceiver in response to receiving the data collection request.
  • the method comprises receiving 1010 a wireless communication signal from a pluggable transceiver.
  • the signal comprises an indication of at least one device parameter of the pluggable transceiver.
  • the at least one device parameter received in response to the device parameter request is then sent 1114 to data processing circuitry.
  • the method comprises analysing 1012 the at least one device parameter.
  • Figure 12 illustrates the steps of a method 1200 of pluggable transceiver remote monitoring in a communication network, according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the method comprising sending 1210 a device parameter request to a plurality of pluggable transceivers in response to receiving 1110 a data collection request.
  • a device parameter request may be sent one by one to the pluggable transceivers or may be broadcast simultaneously to all of the pluggable transceivers.
  • the received device parameters are sent to the data processing circuitry
  • the method 1200 comprises receiving 1 1 10 a data collection request and broadcasting 1210 a device parameter request to the pluggable transceivers.
  • the method comprises receiving 1212 a wireless communication signal from a first pluggable transceiver.
  • the signal comprises an indication of at least one device parameter of the first pluggable transceiver. Receipt of the at least one device parameter from the first pluggable transceiver causes sending of device parameters to the data processing circuitry to start.
  • the at least one device parameter received from the first pluggable transceiver is then sent 1214 to data processing circuitry.
  • a check 1216 is then made to determine whether at least one device parameter has been received from all connected pluggable transceivers. If the answer is yes, sending of device parameters to the data processing circuitry stops 1220.
  • Figure 13 illustrates the steps of a method 1300 of pluggable transceiver remote monitoring in a communication network, according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the method additionally comprises generating 1310 a location signal when a pluggable transceiver is required to be replaced.
  • the location signal comprises an indication of a geographical location of the interface apparatus that the pluggable transceiver to be replaced is configured for communication with.
  • Figure 14 illustrates the steps of a method 1400 of pluggable transceiver remote monitoring in a communication network, according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the method additionally comprises receiving 1410 a light source control message when a pluggable transceiver is required to be replaced.
  • the light source control message is configured to cause an illumination command to be sent to a pluggable transceiver.
  • An illumination command is then sent 1420 to the pluggable transceiver.
  • the illumination command is configured to cause the light source to illuminate.
  • the steps of the methods 1300, 1400 illustrated in Figures 13 and 14 are combined, so that a location signal is generated, a light source control signal is received and an illumination command is sent to the pluggable transceiver.
  • the location signal provides a coarse location of the pluggable transceiver, namely the geographical location of the respective interface apparatus, so that a user can broadly locate a pluggable transceiver that needs to be replaced, and the illumination command causes an externally visible light source, such as an LED, on the pluggable receiver to illuminate, for specific location of the pluggable transceiver.

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Abstract

A communication network remote monitoring system (100) comprising: a pluggable transceiver (110) comprising wireless interface apparatus configured to transmit at least one device parameter of the pluggable transceiver; an interface apparatus (120) comprising a local interface configured for wireless communication with the wireless interface apparatus of the pluggable transceiver, for receiving said device parameter from the pluggable transceiver; and data processing circuitry (130) configured to receive and analyse said device parameter.

Description

REMOTE MONITORING OF PLUGGABLE TRANSCEIVERS
Technical Field
The invention relates to remote monitoring of pluggable transceivers in a communication network. In particular, the invention relates to a cmunication network remote monitoring system, a node for use in a communication network, a method of pluggable transceiver remote monitoring in a communication network and a pluggable transceiver for use in a communication network.
Background
Telecom and IT equipment makes wide use of physical external interfaces of electrical and optical pluggable transceivers meeting various industry standards that define electrical, mechanical and thermal characteristics to be used, including SFP, QSFP, and XFP, and/or telecommunication standards, such as those set by ITU-T and IEEE, that define the optical or electrical external interface to be used. Pluggable transceivers must also comply with industry standards, set in Multi Source Agreements, MSA, that define inventory, alarms and Digital Diagnostic Monitoring, DDM, information that must be provided to a host board or system through the serial interface.
In order to collect inventory data, alarms and DDM parameters, for use in, for example monitoring, statistical elaboration, or prediction based on historical trends, it is necessary to rely on board/system software either to access and elaborate data locally or to export to the data to a network management system through the management interface of the board/system.
A telecom/ICT operator/network provider that wants to keep track of pluggable transceiver use and to perform statistical analysis on pluggable transceiver inventory, alarm or DDM data for maintenance or fault prediction, etc., currently needs to rely on a telecom/ICT management interface or a Network Management System provided by a vendor supplier of a system on which the pluggable transceiver is housed. This means that real-time data collection and elaboration is only possible for data originating from pluggable transceivers fitted on boards/systems that are managed by the same system software or the same management system. Non-real-time operations are possible by exporting the pluggable transceiver inventory, alarm or DDM data from various system software or management systems to be processed elsewhere.
A telecom network operator monitors the status of pluggable transceivers on its network for one or more of the following reasons: to verify which pluggable transceivers are in use at any moment, providing statistics for transceiver variants utilization; to identify the location of a certain type of pluggable transceivers and segregate them in case of known issues with interfaces or vendors; to verify the status of the network physical layer, independently from the system vendor alarm/warning reporting and to have a homogenous report independently from different systems that use pluggable transceivers; and to perform analysis on physical parameters, for example for fault or ageing predictions, by means of a dedicated software package. To be able to run one or more of these actions, a network operator currently has to rely on data collection through telecom/IT systems that use pluggable transceivers on their ports and on their management system. Data collection from different management systems or nodes, for example from different vendors or using different equipment technology, requires a significant adaptation effort of communication protocols and data formats, that has to be replicated for each different management system and vendor that data needs to be collected from.
Summary
It is an object to provide an improved communication network remote monitoring system. It is a further object to provide an improved node for use in a communication network. It is a further object to provide an improved method of pluggable transceiver remote monitoring in a communication network. It is a further object to provide an improved pluggable transceiver for use in a communication network.
An aspect of the invention provides a communication network remote monitoring system comprising a pluggable transceiver, interface apparatus and data processing circuitry. The pluggable transceiver comprises wireless interface apparatus configured to transmit at least one device parameter of the pluggable transceiver. The interface apparatus comprises a local interface configured for wireless communication with the wireless interface apparatus of the pluggable transceiver, for receiving said device parameter from the pluggable transceiver. The data processing circuitry configured to receive and analyse said device parameter.
Advantageously, in this communication network remote monitoring system, device parameter collection, monitoring and processing functions are decoupled from telecom/IT system software and management systems. With this system, device parameters may be collected from pluggable transceivers without any need for integration of hardware and/or software of different vendors belonging to different technologies. The system may enable fast implementation of new monitoring and advanced functions of device parameter processing and pluggable transceiver behaviour prediction, independent from the hardware and/or software hosting the pluggable transceivers. The system may enable easier implementation of pluggable transceiver replacement campaigns before faults occur, in case of fault prediction implementation or massive replacement of risky lots. Changes to or enhancements of the data processing circuitry configuration do not require any modification in the connectivity between the pluggable transceiver and the interface apparatus.
In an embodiment, the interface apparatus is provided at a network node and additionally comprises a remote interface configured to send said device parameter to the data processing circuitry. The data processing circuitry comprises computational resources of a remote server configured for communication with the interface apparatus for receiving said device parameter from the interface apparatus. Multiple instances of relevant application software can be simultaneously active on different cloud servers to provide redundancy in data storage and processing capabilities.
In an embodiment, the interface apparatus and the data processing circuitry are provided within a network node.
In an embodiment, the wireless interface apparatus of the pluggable transceiver is configured to transmit the device parameter in response to receiving a device parameter request from the interface apparatus. The interface apparatus is configured to: send a device parameter request to the pluggable transceiver in response to receiving a data collection request from the data processing circuitry; and send the device parameter received in response to the device parameter request to the data processing circuitry. Device parameters stored at the data processing circuitry may advantageously be refreshed by issuing a data collection request to the interface apparatus.
In an embodiment, the communication network remote monitoring system comprises a plurality of pluggable transceivers. The local interface of the interface apparatus is configured for wireless communication with the plurality of pluggable transceivers. The interface apparatus is configured to send a device parameter request to the pluggable transceivers and is configured to start sending received device parameters to the data processing circuitry following receipt of at least one device parameter from one of the pluggable transceivers. The system advantageously has a scalable architecture, in terms of the number of pluggable transceivers that can be monitored.
In an embodiment, the interface apparatus is configured to broadcast a device parameter request is to said plurality of pluggable transceivers.
In an embodiment, the interface apparatus is configured to send a device parameter request to each of said plurality of pluggable transceivers in turn.
In an embodiment, the at least one device parameter comprises at least one of inventory information and diagnostic monitoring information.
In an embodiment, the communication network remote monitoring system comprises a plurality of interface apparatus and a plurality of pluggable transceivers. The wireless interface apparatus of each pluggable transceiver is configured for communication with a respective interface apparatus. The data processing circuitry is configured to generate a location signal when a pluggable transceiver is required to be replaced. The location signal comprises an indication of a geographical location of the respective interface apparatus that the pluggable transceiver to be replaced is configured for communication with. It is therefore possible to use interface apparatus location information to physically locate pluggable transceivers installed on board/systems without access to the systems on which they are fitted, to identify a pluggable transceiver to be replaced. The system advantageously has a scalable architecture, both in number of interface apparatus and pluggable transceivers connected to them. Device parameters stored at the data processing circuitry may advantageously be refreshed by issuing a data collection request to one, a group or all of the interface apparatus.
In an embodiment, each said interface apparatus is configured to send respective geographical location information to the data processing circuitry.
In an embodiment, a pluggable transceiver additionally comprises an externally visible light source. The data processing circuitry is configured to send a light source control message to the interface apparatus when a pluggable transceiver is required to be replaced. The light source control message is configured to cause the interface apparatus to send an illumination command to the pluggable transceiver to cause the light source to illuminate. The light source enables pluggable transceivers installed on board/systems physically located without access to the systems on which they are fitted, to identify a pluggable transceiver to be replaced. The location of a pluggable transceiver requiring replacement can therefore be coarsely identified by geographical location through the location of the respective interface apparatus, with exact positioning identified through the light source.
In an embodiment, a pluggable transceiver is an electrical transceiver and the at least one device parameter comprises inventory information.
In an embodiment, a pluggable transceiver is an optical transceiver and the at least one device parameter comprises at least one of inventory information and digital diagnostic monitoring, DDM, information.
In an embodiment, the pluggable transceiver wireless interface apparatus is additionally configured to send alarm information to the interface apparatus. Proactive alarms notification is therefore possible, since alarm information is sent without requiring a device parameter request to be sent to a pluggable transceiver.
References to processing circuitry can encompass any kind of logic or analog circuitry, integrated to any degree, and not limited to general purpose processors, digital signal processors, ASICs, FPGAs, discrete components or logic and so on.
An aspect of the invention provides a node for use in a communication network. The node comprises interface apparatus comprising a local interface. The local interface is configured for wireless communication with wireless interface apparatus of a pluggable transceiver within the communication network, for receiving at least one device parameter from the pluggable transceiver. The interface apparatus is configured to send the device parameter to data processing circuitry.
Advantageously, the node enables device parameter collection, monitoring and processing functions to be decoupled from telecom/IT system software and management systems. The node may enable integration of hardware and/or software of different vendors belonging to different technologies in order to collect device parameters to be avoided. The node may enable fast implementation of new monitoring and advanced functions of device parameter processing and pluggable transceiver behaviour prediction, independent from the hardware and/or software hosting the pluggable transceivers. The node may enable easier implementation of pluggable transceiver replacement campaigns before faults occur, in case of fault prediction implementation or massive replacement of risky lots. Changes to or enhancements of the data processing circuitry configuration do not require any modification in the connectivity between the pluggable transceiver and the interface apparatus.
In an embodiment, the node additionally comprises a remote interface configured to send the device parameter to remote data processing circuitry.
In an embodiment, the node additionally comprises data processing circuitry configured to receive and analyse said device parameter.
In an embodiment, the interface apparatus is configured to: send a device parameter request to a pluggable transceiver in response to receiving a data collection request from the data processing circuitry; and send the device parameter received in response to the device parameter request to the data processing circuitry. Device parameters stored at data processing circuitry may advantageously be refreshed through a data collection request received at the interface apparatus.
In an embodiment, the local interface of the interface apparatus is configured for wireless communication with a plurality of pluggable transceivers. The interface apparatus is configured to send a device parameter request to the pluggable transceivers and is configured to start sending received device parameters to the data processing circuitry following receipt of at least one device parameter from one of the pluggable transceivers. The node advantageously has a scalable architecture, in terms of the number of pluggable transceivers that can be monitored.
In an embodiment, the interface apparatus is configured to broadcast a device parameter request is to said plurality of pluggable transceivers.
In an embodiment, the interface apparatus is configured to send a device parameter request to each of said plurality of pluggable transceivers in turn.
In an embodiment, the at least one device parameter comprises at least one of inventory information and diagnostic monitoring information.
In an embodiment, the interface apparatus is configured to send geographical location information of the node to the data processing circuitry.
An aspect of the invention provides a method of pluggable transceiver remote monitoring in a communication network. The method comprises steps of: receiving a wireless communication signal from a pluggable transceiver comprising an indication of at least one device parameter of the pluggable transceiver; and analysing said device parameter.
In an embodiment, the method comprises receiving a data collection request; sending a device parameter request to the pluggable transceiver in response to receiving the data collection request; and sending the device parameter received in response to the device parameter request to data processing circuitry.
In an embodiment, the method comprises sending device parameter requests to a plurality of pluggable transceivers in response to receiving the data collection request; and sending received device parameters to the data processing circuitry following receipt of at least one device parameter from one of the pluggable transceivers.
In an embodiment, a device parameter request is broadcast to said plurality of pluggable transceivers.
In an embodiment, a device parameter request is sent to each of said plurality of pluggable transceivers in turn.
In an embodiment, the method comprises generating a location signal when a pluggable transceiver is required to be replaced. The location signal comprises an indication of a geographical location of the interface apparatus that the pluggable transceiver to be replaced is configured for communication with.
In an embodiment, the method comprises receiving a light source control message when a pluggable transceiver is required to be replaced; and sending an illumination command to the pluggable transceiver to cause the light source to illuminate. The light source control message is configured to cause the illumination command to be sent.
An aspect of the invention provides a pluggable transceiver for use in a communication network. The pluggable transceiver comprises wireless interface apparatus configured to transmit at least one device parameter of the pluggable transceiver. In an embodiment, the wireless interface apparatus is configured for communication with a respective interface apparatus.
In an embodiment, the wireless interface apparatus is configured to transmit device parameters in response to receiving a device parameter request from an interface apparatus.
In an embodiment, the device parameters comprise at least one of inventory information and diagnostic monitoring information.
In an embodiment, the pluggable transceiver additionally comprises an externally visible light source. The pluggable transceiver is configured to receive an illumination command configured to cause the light source to illuminate. The light source enables pluggable transceivers installed on board/systems physically located without access to the systems on which they are fitted, to identify a pluggable transceiver to be replaced.
In an embodiment, a pluggable transceiver is an electrical transceiver and the at least one device parameter comprises inventory information.
In an embodiment, a pluggable transceiver is an optical transceiver and the at least one device parameter comprises at least one of inventory information and digital diagnostic monitoring, DDM, information.
In an embodiment, the wireless interface apparatus is additionally configured to send alarm information to the interface apparatus. Proactive alarms notification is therefore possible, since alarm information is sent without requiring a device parameter request to be sent to a pluggable transceiver.
An aspect of the invention provides a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out any of the steps of the method of pluggable transceiver remote monitoring in a communication network.
A carrier containing a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out any of the steps of the method of pluggable transceiver remote monitoring in a communication network. The carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or computer readable storage medium.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the drawings
Figures 1 to 5 illustrate communication network remote monitoring systems according to embodiments of the invention;
Figures 6 and 7 illustrate nodes for use in a communication network, according to embodiments of the invention;
Figures 8 and 9 illustrate pluggable transceivers according to embodiments of the invention; and
Figures 10 to 14 illustrate steps of methods of pluggable transceiver remote monitoring in a communication network, according to embodiments of the invention.
Detailed description
The same reference numbers will used for corresponding features in different embodiments. Referring to Figure 1 , an embodiment of the invention provides a communication network remote monitoring system 100 comprising a pluggable transceiver 1 10, interface apparatus 120 and data processing circuitry 130.
The pluggable transceiver comprises wireless interface apparatus 1 12 configured to transmit at least one device parameter of the pluggable transceiver. The wireless interface apparatus is configured for communication with the interface apparatus 120 and comprises wireless receiver apparatus configured to receive wireless signals from the interface apparatus 120 and wireless transmitter apparatus configured to transmit wireless signals to the interface apparatus.
The interface apparatus comprises a local interface 122 configured for wireless communication 1 14 with the wireless interface apparatus of the pluggable transceiver, for receiving the at least one device parameter from the pluggable transceiver. The local interface comprises a wireless transceiver comprising wireless receiver apparatus configured to receive wireless signals from the pluggable transceiver and wireless transmitter apparatus, configured to transmit wireless signals to the pluggable transceiver.
The wireless interface apparatus and the local interface may be configured according to a known wireless communication standard, such as wi-fi or Bluetooth.
The data processing circuitry is configured to receive and analyse the at least one device parameter.
In this embodiment, the interface apparatus is provided at a network node 140 and additionally comprises a remote interface 124 configured to send said device parameter to the data processing circuitry. The remote interface may be configured for communication with the data processing circuitry via a connection 126 that may be wireline or wireless, operating for example according to the 3G or 4G standards.
A communication network remote monitoring system 200 according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 2. In this embodiment, the data processing circuitry 230 is provided within a network node, along with the interface apparatus 220. A connection 222 is provided between the interface apparatus and the data processing circuitry, and the interface apparatus is configured to send the at least one device parameter to the data processing circuitry.
In an embodiment, the data processing circuitry 130, 230 is configured to send a data collection request to the interface apparatus 120, 220. The interface apparatus 120, 220 is configured to send a device parameter request to the pluggable transceiver in response to receiving a data collection request from the data processing circuitry 130, 230. The wireless interface apparatus 1 12 of the pluggable transceiver 1 10 is configured to transmit the at least one device parameter in response to receiving a device parameter request from the interface apparatus 120, 220. The interface apparatus is configured to send the at least one device parameter received from the pluggable transceiver 1 10, in response to the device parameter request, to the data processing circuitry.
In an embodiment, the pluggable transceiver 1 10 is an electrical transceiver and the at least one device parameter comprises inventory information.
In another embodiment, the pluggable transceiver 1 10 is an optical transceiver and the at least one device parameter comprises at least one of inventory information and digital diagnostic monitoring, DDM, information. A communication network remote monitoring system 300 according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 3. In this embodiment, the data processing circuitry comprises computational resources of a cloud server 330 configured for communication with the interface apparatus 120 at a node 310, for receiving the at least one device parameter from the interface apparatus.
The remote interface 124 is configured for communication with the remote server via the internet
320.
The cloud server 330 is configured to implement a data processing software application configured to receive and analyse the at least one device parameter.
A communication network remote monitoring system 400 according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 4. The system 400 of this embodiment comprises a plurality, n, of pluggable transceivers 1 10. The local interface 122 of the interface apparatus 420 is configured for wireless communication with the plurality of pluggable transceivers.
The data processing circuitry 130, 230 is configured to send a data collection request to the interface apparatus 420, via the remote interface 422 and connection 424. The interface apparatus is configured to send respective device parameter requests to the pluggable transceivers, either one by one in turn or in a broadcast mode, following receipt of a data collection request from the data processing circuitry. The interface apparatus is configured to send the at least one device parameter received from each pluggable transceiver to the data processing circuitry ; the interface apparatus starts sending the device parameters to the data processing circuitry after receiving the at least one device parameter from one of the pluggable transceivers.
A communication network remote monitoring system 500 according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 5. The system 500 of this embodiment comprises a plurality of pluggable transceivers 1 10 and a plurality of nodes 140, each comprising interface apparatus 420.
The wireless interface apparatus 1 12 of each pluggable transceiver is configured for communication with the local interface 122 of the interface apparatus 420 of a respective node. The data processing circuitry comprises computational resources of cloud servers 330, 510, each of which are configured to implement a data processing software application configured to receive and analyse the at least one device parameter. Working and protection instances of the data processing software application are therefore provided.
In an embodiment, the data processing circuitry 130, 230, 330, 510 is configured to generate a location signal when a pluggable transceiver is required to be replaced. The location signal comprises an indication of a geographical location of the respective interface apparatus 120, 220, 420 that the pluggable transceiver to be replaced is configured for communication with.
In an embodiment, a pluggable transceiver 1 10 additionally comprises an externally visible light source. The data processing circuitry 130, 330 is configured to send a light source control message to the interface apparatus when a pluggable transceiver is required to be replaced. The light source control message is configured to cause the interface apparatus to send an illumination command to the pluggable transceiver to cause the light source to illuminate.
An embodiment of the invention provides a node 600 for a communication network. The node comprises interface apparatus 610 comprising a local interface 620 and a remote interface 630. The local interface is configured for wireless communication with wireless interface apparatus of a pluggable transceiver 1 10 within the communication network, for receiving at least one device parameter from the pluggable transceiver. The remote interface is configured to send the at least one device parameter to remote data processing circuitry.
Referring to Figure 7, an embodiment of the invention provides a node 700 for a communication network in which the node additionally comprises data processing circuitry 730 configured to receive and analyse the at least one device parameter.
Figure 8 illustrates a pluggable transceiver 800 according to an embodiment of the invention, for use in a communication network.
The pluggable transceiver 800 may be an electrical pluggable transceiver or an optical pluggable transceiver compliant with any industry standard, such as Small Form-factor Pluggable, SFP, Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable, QSFP, 10Gigabit Small Form-factor Pluggable, XFP, or C form-factor Pluggable, CFP. The pluggable transceiver comprises a microcontroller 810, an EEPROM memory 820, wireless interface apparatus 830, 832 and a transceiver 840, which may be an electrical transceiver or an optical transceiver.
The wireless interface apparatus is configured to transmit at least one device parameter of the pluggable transceiver, and comprises a wireless interface chip 830 and a wireless antenna 832. The wireless interface chip 830 comprises wireless transmitter apparatus and wireless receiver apparatus, configured for communication with the antenna 832. The wireless antenna 832 is configured to transmit and receive wireless signals. The wireless interface apparatus may be configured according to a known wireless communication standard, such as wi-fi or Bluetooth.
The transceiver 840 comprises a transmitter and a receiver.
The microcontroller 810 is configured to make the content of a memory map in the EEPROM memory available, in read only mode, on the wireless interface 830, 832, in addition to on a standardized serial interface 812.
Figure 9 illustrates a pluggable transceiver 900 for use in a communication network, according to an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the pluggable transceiver additionally comprises an externally visible light source, which in this embodiment comprises an LED 910. The pluggable transceiver is configured for location in a host board or system 920.
The LED 910 is located on the pluggable transceiver such that when the pluggable transceiver is located in the host board or system the LED is on an outer side of the host board or system.
The wireless interface chip 830 and antenna 832 are configured to transmit the at least one device parameter in response to receiving a device parameter request.
Referring to Figures 5, 8 and 9, in an embodiment the pluggable transceiver 800, 900 which may be electrical or optical, is compliant with an industry standard, such as Small Form-factor Pluggable, SFP, Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable, QSFP, 10Gigabit Small Form-factor Pluggable, XFP, or C form-factor Pluggable, CFP. The pluggable transceiver comprises a microcontroller 810, an EEPROM memory 820, and wireless interface apparatus comprising a wireless interface chip 830 and a wireless antenna 832. The microcontroller 810 is configured to make the content of a memory map in the EEPROM memory available, in read only mode, on the wireless interface 830, 832, in addition to its standardized serial interface 812 to a host card 920.
The transceiver 840 comprises a transmitter and a receiver.
When powered in a host card the pluggable transceiver 800, 900 starts a wireless attach protocol towards an available interface apparatus 120; the attach protocol depends on the chosen wireless technology, such as wi-fi or Bluetooth.
The pluggable transceiver is configured to keep alive the connection with the nearest interface apparatus, so that it is able to provide a dump of its memory content on request from the interface apparatus. The pluggable transceiver is configured to monitor the strengths of signals received from other interface apparatus located nearby, to enable handover to another interface apparatus in case of a failure of the interface apparatus to which is currently attached.
The interface apparatus 420 implements communication between a cloud server 330 and any pluggable transceivers 1 10 connected to itself. The interface apparatus 420 has two types of interface: a wireless local interface 122 and remote interface 422. The wireless local interface is configured with the same wireless technology as used at the pluggable transceivers and configured to enable a plurality of pluggable transceiver to be attached to it; the maximum number of pluggable transceiver that a wireless local interface 122 can attach is defined by the wireless technology being used. The remote interface may be a wireline (copper or fibre) or a 2G/3G/4G/5G wireless interface relying on, for example, a commercial mobile network. The remote interface can be connected to the internet 320 either directly or through a private IP network.
On its wireless local interface, the interface apparatus 420 establishes and keeps alive connectivity towards any pluggable transceivers 1 10 located nearby that require access to it; the mechanisms to require access and to keep alive connection are specific of the wireless protocol used.
When an interface apparatus 420 is powered on, it first establishes a connection on its remote interface 422 towards the cloud server 330, and sends identification and location parameters. Once a connection to the cloud server is established, the interface apparatus turns on its local interface and accepts incoming connections requested by pluggable transceivers.
When the interface apparatus receives a data collection request from the cloud server, it starts the collection by sending a memory dump request to all pluggable transceivers connected to it; the memory dump request may be sent one by one to the pluggable transceivers or broadcast to all of the pluggable transceivers. After reception of device parameters from one pluggable transceiver, the interface apparatus starts retransmission to the cloud server, for example through a TCP protocol, on the internet. The data collection process ends when the device parameters received from the last pluggable transceiver connected to the interface apparatus are transmitted to the cloud server.
If a new pluggable transceiver is powered on and starts an attaching procedure to the interface apparatus, the connection is established but the memory map is not collected and transmitted to the cloud server until a data collection request is received from the cloud server.
Figure imgf000012_0001
Table 1 : Device parameter collection signalling between pluggable transceiver, interface apparatus and cloud server. The cloud server 330 can be any software running on a cloud environment that uses the network of connected interface apparatus, and the underlying pluggable transceivers, to collect, store and process device parameters of all reachable pluggable transceivers and perform analysis of the received device parameters. For example, the receive device parameters may be analysed: to obtain or update network pluggable transceiver inventory and geographical locations; perform statistical analysis of environmental conditions; perform fault prediction and implement advanced replacement strategies; and to enable massive replacement readiness. The cloud server can be changed or enhanced in its features without any impact on the communication network. The cloud server maintains a database built from information received from the pluggable transceiver memory maps and records the physical location of the respective interface apparatus. The database is periodically refreshed by issuing a data collection request to one, a group or all interface apparatus connected to the cloud server. Multiple instances of the cloud server can be simultaneously running to provide redundancy for data storage and processing.
The device parameter collection signalling between the pluggable transceiver 800, 900 interface apparatus 420 and cloud server 330 is illustrated in Table 1.
In an embodiment, the cloud server can send a request to one or more interface apparatus to send an“LED flashing” command to a pluggable transceiver 900, to cause an onboard LED 910 to flash, to allow location of one or more pluggable transceivers if a replacement has to be done.
The pluggable transceiver location signalling between the pluggable transceiver 900, interface apparatus 420 and cloud server 330 is illustrated in Table 2.
Figure imgf000013_0001
Table 2: Pluggable transceiver location signalling between pluggable transceiver, interface apparatus and cloud server.
In an embodiment, the wireless interface apparatus 1 12, 830, 832 is additionally configured to send alarm information to the interface apparatus 120, 220, 330, 420, 610. Proactive alarms notification is therefore possible, since alarm information is sent without requiring a device parameter request to be sent to a pluggable transceiver. The interface apparatus may be configured to discard alarms/warning received from pluggable modules. Alternatively, the interface apparatus may be configured to request alarms/warnings variations from pluggable modules and to send received alarms/warnings to the cloud server.
Alarm signalling between the wireless interface apparatus 1 12, 830, 832 of the pluggable transceiver, the interface apparatus 420 and the cloud server 330 is illustrated in Table 3. Two types of alarm signalling are supported. In type 1 alarm signalling, the cloud server is configured to instruct the interface apparatus to discard proactive alarms/warnings notifications received from pluggable transceivers. In type 2 alarm signalling, the cloud server allows the interface apparatus to request alarms/warnings variations from pluggable transceivers and to send received alarms/warnings to the cloud server.
Figure imgf000014_0001
Table 3: Alarm signalling between pluggable transceiver, interface apparatus and cloud server. Figure 10 illustrates the steps of a method 1000 of pluggable transceiver remote monitoring in a communication network, according to an embodiment of the invention.
The method comprises receiving 1010 a wireless communication signal from a pluggable transceiver. The signal comprises an indication of at least one device parameter of the pluggable transceiver. The method comprises analysing 1012 the at least one device parameter.
Figure 11 illustrates the steps of a method 1 100 of pluggable transceiver remote monitoring in a communication network, according to an embodiment of the invention.
The method 1100 comprises receiving 1110 a data collection request and sending 1112 a device parameter request to the pluggable transceiver in response to receiving the data collection request. The method comprises receiving 1010 a wireless communication signal from a pluggable transceiver. The signal comprises an indication of at least one device parameter of the pluggable transceiver. The at least one device parameter received in response to the device parameter request is then sent 1114 to data processing circuitry. The method comprises analysing 1012 the at least one device parameter.
Figure 12 illustrates the steps of a method 1200 of pluggable transceiver remote monitoring in a communication network, according to an embodiment of the invention.
In this embodiment, the method comprising sending 1210 a device parameter request to a plurality of pluggable transceivers in response to receiving 1110 a data collection request. A device parameter request may be sent one by one to the pluggable transceivers or may be broadcast simultaneously to all of the pluggable transceivers. Following receipt of at least one device parameter from one of the pluggable transceivers, the received device parameters are sent to the data processing circuitry
In more detail, the method 1200 comprises receiving 1 1 10 a data collection request and broadcasting 1210 a device parameter request to the pluggable transceivers. The method comprises receiving 1212 a wireless communication signal from a first pluggable transceiver. The signal comprises an indication of at least one device parameter of the first pluggable transceiver. Receipt of the at least one device parameter from the first pluggable transceiver causes sending of device parameters to the data processing circuitry to start. The at least one device parameter received from the first pluggable transceiver is then sent 1214 to data processing circuitry.
A check 1216 is then made to determine whether at least one device parameter has been received from all connected pluggable transceivers. If the answer is yes, sending of device parameters to the data processing circuitry stops 1220.
Figure 13 illustrates the steps of a method 1300 of pluggable transceiver remote monitoring in a communication network, according to an embodiment of the invention.
In this embodiment, the method additionally comprises generating 1310 a location signal when a pluggable transceiver is required to be replaced. The location signal comprises an indication of a geographical location of the interface apparatus that the pluggable transceiver to be replaced is configured for communication with.
Figure 14 illustrates the steps of a method 1400 of pluggable transceiver remote monitoring in a communication network, according to an embodiment of the invention.
In this embodiment, the method additionally comprises receiving 1410 a light source control message when a pluggable transceiver is required to be replaced. The light source control message is configured to cause an illumination command to be sent to a pluggable transceiver. An illumination command is then sent 1420 to the pluggable transceiver. The illumination command is configured to cause the light source to illuminate.
In a further embodiment, the steps of the methods 1300, 1400 illustrated in Figures 13 and 14 are combined, so that a location signal is generated, a light source control signal is received and an illumination command is sent to the pluggable transceiver. The location signal provides a coarse location of the pluggable transceiver, namely the geographical location of the respective interface apparatus, so that a user can broadly locate a pluggable transceiver that needs to be replaced, and the illumination command causes an externally visible light source, such as an LED, on the pluggable receiver to illuminate, for specific location of the pluggable transceiver.

Claims

1. A communication network remote monitoring system comprising:
a pluggable transceiver comprising wireless interface apparatus configured to transmit at least one device parameter of the pluggable transceiver;
interface apparatus comprising a local interface configured for wireless communication with the wireless interface apparatus of the pluggable transceiver, for receiving said device parameter from the pluggable transceiver; and
data processing circuitry configured to receive and analyse said device parameter.
2. A communication network remote monitoring system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the interface apparatus is provided at a network node and additionally comprises a remote interface configured to send said device parameter to the data processing circuitry; and wherein the data processing circuitry comprises computational resources of a remote server configured for communication with the interface apparatus for receiving said device parameter from the interface apparatus.
3. A communication network remote monitoring system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the interface apparatus and the data processing circuitry are provided within a network node.
4. A communication network remote monitoring system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the wireless interface apparatus of the pluggable transceiver is configured to transmit the device parameter in response to receiving a device parameter request from the interface apparatus and wherein the interface apparatus is configured to: send a device parameter request to the pluggable transceiver in response to receiving a data collection request from the data processing circuitry; and send the device parameter received in response to the device parameter request to the data processing circuitry.
5. A communication network remote monitoring system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one device parameter comprises at least one of inventory information and diagnostic monitoring information.
6. A communication network remote monitoring system as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a plurality of interface apparatus and a plurality of pluggable transceivers and wherein: the wireless interface apparatus of each pluggable transceiver is configured for communication with a respective interface apparatus; and the data processing circuitry is configured to generate a location signal when a pluggable transceiver is required to be replaced, the location signal comprising an indication of a geographical location of the respective interface apparatus that the pluggable transceiver to be replaced is configured for communication with.
7. A communication network remote monitoring system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a pluggable transceiver additionally comprises an externally visible light source and wherein the data processing circuitry is configured to send a light source control message to the interface apparatus when a pluggable transceiver is required to be replaced, wherein the light source control message is configured to cause the interface apparatus to send an illumination command to the pluggable transceiver to cause the light source to illuminate.
8. A node for use in a communication network, the node comprising interface apparatus comprising a local interface configured for wireless communication with wireless interface apparatus of a pluggable transceiver within the communication network, for receiving at least one device parameter from the pluggable transceiver, and configured to send the device parameter to data processing circuitry.
9. A node as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a remote interface configured to send the device parameter to a remote data processing circuitry.
10. A node as claimed in claim 8, further comprising data processing circuitry configured to receive and analyse said device parameter.
11. A method of pluggable transceiver remote monitoring in a communication network comprising steps of:
receiving a wireless communication signal from a pluggable transceiver comprising an indication of at least one device parameter of the pluggable transceiver; and analysing said device parameter.
12. A method as claimed in claim 11 , comprising receiving a data collection request; sending a device parameter request to the pluggable transceiver in response to receiving the data collection request; and sending the device parameter received in response to the device parameter request to data processing circuitry.
13. A method as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12, further comprising generating a location signal when a pluggable transceiver is required to be replaced, the location signal comprising an indication of a geographical location of the interface apparatus that the pluggable transceiver to be replaced is configured for communication with.
14. A method as claimed in any of claims 11 to 13, further comprising receiving a light source control message when a pluggable transceiver is required to be replaced; and sending an illumination command to the pluggable transceiver to cause the light source to illuminate, wherein the light source control message is configured to cause the illumination command to be sent.
15. A pluggable transceiver for use in a communication network comprising wireless interface apparatus configured to transmit at least one device parameter of the pluggable transceiver.
PCT/EP2017/082709 2017-12-13 2017-12-13 Remote monitoring of pluggable transceivers WO2019114958A1 (en)

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20120251124A1 (en) * 2011-03-30 2012-10-04 Winston Andrew Lewis Transceiver for different vendor devices
US8649271B2 (en) * 2010-01-25 2014-02-11 Ixia Testing network equipment
EP2755354A1 (en) * 2012-12-28 2014-07-16 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Method for transmission of address, diagnosis and/or configuration information and connector module for infrastructure device

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8649271B2 (en) * 2010-01-25 2014-02-11 Ixia Testing network equipment
US20120251124A1 (en) * 2011-03-30 2012-10-04 Winston Andrew Lewis Transceiver for different vendor devices
EP2755354A1 (en) * 2012-12-28 2014-07-16 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Method for transmission of address, diagnosis and/or configuration information and connector module for infrastructure device

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