Spare Capacity Allocation in Two-Layer Networks

In this paper we consider the problem of provisioning spare capacity in two-layer backbone networks using shared backup path protection. First, two spare capacity allocation (SCA) optimization problems are formulated as integer linear programming (ILP) models for the cases of protection at the top layer against failures at the bottom layer. The first model captures failure propagation using overlay information between two layers for backup paths to meet diversity requirements. The second model improves bandwidth efficiency by moving spare capacity sharing from the top layer to the bottom layer. This exposes a tradeoff between bandwidth efficiency and extra cross-layer operation. Next, the SCA model for common pool protection is developed to allow spare capacity sharing between two layers. Our previous SCA heuristic technique, successive survivable routing (SSR) is extended for these optimization problems. Numerical results for a variety of networks indicate that the common pool protection is attractive to enhance bandwidth efficiency without loss of survivability and that the SSR heuristic quickly results in near optimal solutions