Hierarchical virtual private LAN service protection scheme

Abstract

A data communication network includes a plurality of primary virtual bridges, interconnected by primary virtual connections so as to transmit and receive data packets over the network to and from edge devices connected thereto. One or more backup virtual bridges, each associated with at least one of the primary virtual bridges, are connected by at least one secondary virtual connection to at least another one of the primary virtual bridges, so that upon a failure of one of the primary virtual bridges with which it is associated, the backup virtual bridge transmits and receives the data packets over the network via the at least one secondary virtual connection in place of the at least one of the primary virtual bridges.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation Application of, and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 from, U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 337,382, filed Jan. 7, 2003. The entire content of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to communication networks, and specifically to methods and systems for providing virtual private LAN services (VPLS). BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Local Area Networks (LANs) connect computing systems together. LANs of all types can be connected together using Media Access Control (MAC) bridges, as set forth in the “IEEE” Standard for Information Technology, Telecommunications and Information Exchange between Systems, Local and Metropolitan Area Networks, Common Specifications, Part 3: Media Access Control (MAC) Bridges,” published as ANSI / IEEE Standard 802.1D (1998), which is incorporated herein by reference. The 80...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides an improved mechanism for protecting failure in virtual private networks (VPNs), particularly Ethernet VPNs. The invention involves a data communication network that includes primary virtual bridges and backup virtual bridges. In the event of failure of a primary virtual bridge, the backup virtual bridge takes over and transmits and receives data packets over the network. The invention also allows for multiple simultaneous failures and reduces packet flooding. The technical effects of the invention include improved failover protection, reduced downtime, and improved network resilience."

Problems solved by technology

VPLS networks are still in the development stage, and there are as yet no clear standards for loop prevention in such networks.

The failure protection scheme suggested by Lasserre et al., however, can result in a long period of traffic outage if a virtual connection fails between an edge node and a core node, or if a core node fails.

In most cases, initiation of failure protection depends on MAC address aging and learning schemes, which are inherently slow.

In addition, the need to handle both standard connections (to edge nodes and other core nodes) and backup protection connections (to edge nodes) complicates the design of the VPLS core nodes and of the network as a whole.

Images