Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

This application provides a communication method and apparatus. The method is applied to an ingress node located within an IGP network. The method includes: receiving prefix routing messages sent by other nodes within the IGP network, wherein the prefix routing message includes at least one prefix and a color value corresponding to each prefix; obtaining the color value of a locally established tunnel; and calculating a route to each prefix based on the color value corresponding to each prefix and the color value of the tunnel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, when tunnels exist in an Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP) network (e.g., MPLS-TE tunnels, SR Policy tunnels, etc.), the IGP Shortcut technology allows the tunnel entry node to take the tunnel into account when performing IGP route calculations.

[0003] like Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1 This is a diagram of an IGP network topology. A tunnel exists between nodes A and E, with node A as the entry point and node E as the exit point. Without IGP Shortcut technology, node A does not consider the tunnel when calculating IGP routes. In this case, the shortest path to node E is A->C->E, and the shortest path to node F is A->C->E->F. With IGP Shortcut technology, node A considers the tunnel when calculating IGP routes. If the tunnel cost is insufficient, node A cannot redirect traffic to the tunnel and can only forward traffic through ordinary links. If the tunnel cost is sufficient, node A can redirect traffic to the tunnel, and ordinary links can also forward traffic. The shortest path to node E is A->E (through the tunnel), and the shortest path to node F is A->E->F (through the tunnel).

[0004] However, current IGP Shortcut technology cannot distinguish between different destination addresses reaching the same node when tunneling. For example, in Figure 1 In the process, node E publishes three prefixes P1, P2, and P3. Node A, using IGP Shortcut technology, will forward all packets belonging to prefixes P1, P2, and P3 through tunnels, making it impossible to forward packets with only some of these prefixes through tunnels, resulting in insufficient flexibility in tunnel traffic redirection. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, this application provides a communication method and apparatus to solve the problems that existing tunnels cannot achieve traffic diversion when the cost value is not met, and that cannot distinguish between messages with different prefixes when the cost value of the tunnel is met, resulting in insufficient flexibility in tunnel traffic diversion.

[0006] In a first aspect, this application provides a communication method applied to an ingress node, the ingress node being located within an IGP network, the method comprising:

[0007] receive a prefix route message sent by other nodes in the IGP network, the prefix route message comprising at least one prefix and a color value corresponding to each prefix;

[0008] obtain a color value of a locally established tunnel;

[0009] calculate a route to each prefix according to the color value corresponding to each prefix and the color value of the tunnel.

[0010] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which is applied to an ingress node in an IGP network, and comprises:

[0011] a receiving unit, configured to receive a prefix route message sent by other nodes in the IGP network, the prefix route message comprising at least one prefix and a color value corresponding to each prefix;

[0012] an obtaining unit, configured to obtain a color value of a locally established tunnel;

[0013] a calculating unit, configured to calculate a route to each prefix according to the color value corresponding to each prefix and the color value of the tunnel.

[0014] In a third aspect, the present application provides a network device, comprising a processor and a machine readable storage medium, wherein the machine readable storage medium stores machine executable instructions which can be executed by the processor, and the processor is prompted by the machine executable instructions to execute the method provided in the first aspect of the present application.

[0015] Therefore, by applying the communication method and device provided in the present application, the ingress node receives a prefix route message sent by other nodes in the IGP network, the prefix route message comprising at least one prefix and a color value corresponding to each prefix; the ingress node obtains a color value of a locally established tunnel; and the ingress node calculates a route to each prefix according to the color value corresponding to each prefix and the color value of the tunnel.

[0016] In this way, by carrying the color attribute in the IGP route, the IGP Shortcut technology can distinguish different prefixes published by the same node based on the color, and solve the problem that the existing tunnel cost value cannot meet the requirement, so that the flow cannot be guided, and the tunnel cost value meets the requirement, so that different prefix messages cannot be distinguished when the flow is guided, resulting in that the tunnel flow is not flexible enough. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an existing IGP network;

[0018] Figure 2A flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. 1.

[0019] Figure 3 An IGP network networking schematic diagram provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. 2.

[0020] Figure 4 A sub-TLV format diagram for carrying a color value provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. 3.

[0021] Figure 5 Another sub-TLV format diagram for carrying a color value provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. 4.

[0022] Figure 6 A communication device structure diagram provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. 5.

[0023] Figure 7 A network device hardware structure provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein with reference to the attached drawings. The following description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, and the term "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Thus, the exemplary embodiments are not intended to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but are intended to be as broad as possible under the scope of the appended claims.

[0025] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present application. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0026] It is to be understood that the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is to be further understood that the term "comprising" as used herein is to be taken as meaning "including but not limited to" and the term "comprises" is to be taken as meaning "including but not limited to".

[0027] A communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application is described in detail below. Referring to FIG. 1, the communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application includes the following steps. Figure 2 , Figure 2A flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method is applied to an ingress node. The communication method provided in an embodiment of this application may include the following steps.

[0028] Step 210: Receive prefix routing messages sent by other nodes in the IGP network. The prefix routing message includes at least one prefix and a color value corresponding to each prefix.

[0029] Specifically, the ingress node is located within the IGP network, which also includes multiple other nodes. The IGP network can run either the Intermediate System-to-Intermediate System (IS-IS) protocol or the Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) protocol. Each node generates a prefix routing message and advertises it within the IGP network, enabling receiving nodes to calculate their own routes to that prefix. The prefix routing message includes at least one prefix and a corresponding color value for each prefix.

[0030] Taking the ingress node as an example, the ingress node receives prefix routing messages sent by other nodes and obtains at least one prefix and the color value corresponding to each prefix from the prefix routing messages.

[0031] In one example, such as Figure 3 As shown, Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an IGP network topology provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 3 In this example, nodes A through F form an IGP network. Node A is the incoming node, and nodes B through F are other nodes. Node E will be used as an example for illustration.

[0032] Node E generates a prefix routing message, which includes three prefixes and their corresponding color values. For example, prefix P1, color1; prefix P2, color2; prefix P3, color is empty. Node E sends the prefix routing message to node A. After receiving the prefix routing message, node A retrieves the three prefixes and their corresponding color values ​​from it.

[0033] Understandably, the prefix can also omit "color," meaning "color" can be empty.

[0034] Optionally, in this embodiment, the format of the prefix routing message may vary depending on the protocol running within the IGP network.

[0035] In one implementation, the protocol running within the IGP network is the IS-IS protocol. In this case, the prefix routing message includes a TLV, which contains sub-TLVs used to carry the color value. For example... Figure 4 As shown. Figure 4 This application provides a sub-TLV format image carrying color values ​​as an embodiment of the present application. Figure 4 In this sub-TLV, there is a Type field, a Length field, and a Color field (4 bytes). The Color field is used to carry the color value.

[0036] The aforementioned TLVs may include TLV-27, TLV-135, TLV-235, TLV-236, TLV-237, etc.

[0037] In another implementation, the protocol running within the IGP network is OSPF. In this case, the prefix routing message includes a TLV, which contains sub-TLVs used to carry the color value. For example... Figure 5 As shown. Figure 4 Another sub-TLV format image carrying color values ​​is provided for embodiments of this application. Figure 5 In this sub-TLV, there is a Type field, a Length field, and a Color field (4 bytes). The Color field is used to carry the color value.

[0038] The aforementioned TLVs may include OSPFv2ExtendedPrefix TLV, OSPFv3Inter-Area-Prefix TLV, OSPFv3Intra-Area-Prefix TLV, OSPFv3External-Prefix TLV, etc.

[0039] Step 220: Obtain the color value of the locally established tunnel;

[0040] Specifically, according to the description of step 210, after the ingress node obtains at least one prefix on other nodes and the color value corresponding to each prefix, it obtains the color of the locally established tunnel.

[0041] Based on the previous example, a tunnel has been established between node A and node E, and node A obtains the color value of the tunnel as color1.

[0042] Step 230: Calculate the route to each prefix based on the color value corresponding to each prefix and the color value of the tunnel.

[0043] Specifically, according to the descriptions of steps 210 and 220, after the ingress node obtains the color value corresponding to each prefix and the color value of the tunnel, it calculates the route to each prefix using the color value corresponding to each prefix and the color value of the tunnel.

[0044] Optionally, the specific process of calculating the route to each prefix based on the color value corresponding to each prefix and the color value of the tunnel is as follows: the ingress node identifies the relationship between the color of the prefix and the color of the local tunnel. This is illustrated using the calculation of the route to the first prefix as an example.

[0045] If the first prefix does not have a corresponding color value, or if the first prefix has a corresponding color value but there is no local tunnel matching the color, the ingress node obtains the link attributes of ordinary links in the current network topology and the tunnel attributes of tunnels without color values. Based on the link attributes and tunnel attributes, the ingress node calculates the route to the first prefix.

[0046] Optionally, the specific process of calculating the route to each prefix based on the color value corresponding to each prefix and the color value of the tunnel is as follows: the ingress node identifies the relationship between the color of the prefix and the color of the local tunnel. This is illustrated using the calculation of the route to the first prefix as an example.

[0047] If the first prefix has a corresponding color value and a local tunnel with a matching color exists, the ingress node obtains the link attributes of the normal link, the tunnel attributes of the tunnel without a color value, and the tunnel attributes of the tunnel with a color value. Based on the link attributes and tunnel attributes, the route to the first prefix is ​​calculated.

[0048] Optionally, in this embodiment, when the ingress node is enabled in strict matching mode, the above-mentioned methods for the ingress node to calculate the route to each prefix based on the color value corresponding to each prefix and the color value of the tunnel specifically include:

[0049] If the first prefix has a corresponding color value and a local tunnel with a matching color exists, the ingress node obtains the link attributes of the normal link and the tunnel attributes of the tunnel with the color value. Based on the link attributes and tunnel attributes, the ingress node calculates the route to the first prefix.

[0050] If the first prefix does not have a corresponding color value, or if the first prefix has a corresponding color value but there is no local tunnel matching the color, the ingress node obtains the link attributes of the normal link. Based on the link attributes, the ingress node calculates the route to the first prefix.

[0051] Optionally, in this embodiment, since the ingress node needs to calculate the SPF tree and route based on each color value of the prefix, the IGP routing computation will increase. To limit the impact on the ingress node, IGP Shortcut routing can be configured at the ingress node only for specified color values, while for prefixes with non-specified color values, the routing calculation process is the same as for prefixes with empty color values.

[0052] Specifically, the ingress node receives configuration instructions input by the user, which include a specified color value; the ingress node then uses an IGP shortcut to redirect traffic to the specified color value.

[0053] Therefore, using the communication method provided in this application, the ingress node receives prefix routing messages sent by other nodes in the IGP network. The prefix routing message includes at least one prefix and a color value corresponding to each prefix. The ingress node obtains the color value of the locally established tunnel. Based on the color value corresponding to each prefix and the color value of the tunnel, the ingress node calculates the route to each prefix.

[0054] Thus, by carrying the color attribute within the IGP route, the IGP Shortcut technology can distinguish different prefixes published by the same node based on the color. This solves the problem that when the cost value of the existing tunnel is not met, traffic cannot be redirected, and when the cost value of the tunnel is met, it is impossible to distinguish packets with different prefixes during traffic redirection, resulting in insufficient flexibility in tunnel traffic redirection.

[0055] Based on the same inventive concept, embodiments of this application also provide a communication device corresponding to the communication method. See also Figure 6 , Figure 6 The communication device provided in this application embodiment is applied to an ingress node, the ingress node being located within an IGP network, and the device includes:

[0056] The receiving unit 610 is used to receive prefix routing messages sent by other nodes in the IGP network, wherein the prefix routing message includes at least one prefix and a color value corresponding to each prefix;

[0057] The acquisition unit 620 is used to acquire the color value of the locally established tunnel;

[0058] The calculation unit 630 is used to calculate the route to each prefix based on the color value corresponding to each prefix and the color value of the tunnel.

[0059] Optionally, when the IS-IS protocol is running within the IGP network, the prefix routing message includes a TLV, the TLV includes a sub-TLV, and the sub-TLV carries the color value corresponding to the prefix;

[0060] or;

[0061] When the OSPF protocol is running within the IGP network, the prefix routing message includes a TLV, the TLV includes a sub-TLV, and the sub-TLV carries the color value corresponding to the prefix.

[0062] Optionally, the calculation unit 630 is specifically used to obtain the link attributes of the normal link and the tunnel attributes of the tunnel without a color value if the first prefix does not have a corresponding color value or if the first prefix has a corresponding color value and there is no local tunnel with a matching color.

[0063] Calculate the route to the first prefix based on the link attributes and tunnel attributes.

[0064] Optionally, the calculation unit 630 is specifically used to obtain the link attributes of the ordinary link, the tunnel attributes of the tunnel without a color value, and the tunnel attributes of the tunnel with a color value if the first prefix has a corresponding color value and there is a local tunnel with a matching color.

[0065] Calculate the route to the first prefix based on the link attributes and tunnel attributes.

[0066] Optionally, when the ingress node is enabled in strict matching mode, the calculation unit 630 is specifically used to obtain the link attributes of the ordinary link and the tunnel attributes of the tunnel with the color value if the first prefix has a corresponding color value and there is a local tunnel with color matching.

[0067] Calculate the route to the first prefix based on the link attributes and tunnel attributes.

[0068] Optionally, when the ingress node is enabled in strict matching mode, the calculation unit 630 is specifically used to obtain the link attributes of the normal link if the first prefix does not have a corresponding color value or if the first prefix has a corresponding color value and there is no local tunnel with color matching.

[0069] Calculate the route to the first prefix based on the link attributes.

[0070] Optionally, the receiving unit 610 is further configured to receive a configuration instruction input by a user, the configuration instruction including a specified color value;

[0071] The device further includes a processing unit (not shown in the figure) for performing IGP shortcut routing on the specified color value.

[0072] Therefore, by applying the communication method and apparatus provided in this application, the ingress node receives prefix routing messages sent by other nodes in the IGP network. The prefix routing message includes at least one prefix and a color value corresponding to each prefix. The ingress node obtains the color value of the locally established tunnel. Based on the color value corresponding to each prefix and the color value of the tunnel, the ingress node calculates the route to each prefix.

[0073] Thus, by carrying the color attribute within the IGP route, the IGP Shortcut technology can distinguish different prefixes published by the same node based on the color. This solves the problem that when the cost value of the existing tunnel is not met, traffic cannot be redirected, and when the cost value of the tunnel is met, it is impossible to distinguish packets with different prefixes during traffic redirection, resulting in insufficient flexibility in tunnel traffic redirection.

[0074] Based on the same inventive concept, embodiments of this application also provide a network device, such as... Figure 7 As shown, the system includes a processor 710, a transceiver 720, and a machine-readable storage medium 730. The machine-readable storage medium 730 stores machine-executable instructions that can be executed by the processor 710. The processor 710 is prompted by the machine-executable instructions to execute the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. (The foregoing...) Figure 6 The communication device shown can be used as follows: Figure 7 The hardware structure of the network device shown is implemented.

[0075] The aforementioned computer-readable storage medium 730 may include random access memory (RAM) or non-volatile memory (NVM), such as at least one disk storage device. Optionally, the computer-readable storage medium 730 may also be at least one storage device located remotely from the aforementioned processor 710.

[0076] The processor 710 mentioned above can be a general-purpose processor, including a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), etc.; it can also be a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components.

[0077] In this embodiment of the application, the processor 710 reads the machine-executable instructions stored in the machine-readable storage medium 730, and is prompted by the machine-executable instructions to enable the processor 710 itself and the transceiver 720 to execute the communication method described in the foregoing embodiment of the application.

[0078] In addition, this application provides a machine-readable storage medium 730 that stores machine-executable instructions. When called and executed by the processor 710, the machine-executable instructions cause the processor 710 itself and the transceiver 720 to execute the communication method described in the aforementioned application.

[0079] The specific implementation process of the functions and roles of each unit in the above device can be found in the implementation process of the corresponding steps in the above method, and will not be repeated here.

[0080] For the device embodiments, since they basically correspond to the method embodiments, the relevant parts can be referred to in the description of the method embodiments. The device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the modules can be selected to achieve the purpose of this application according to actual needs. Those skilled in the art can understand and implement this without creative effort.

[0081] For the embodiments of communication devices and machine-readable storage media, since the methods involved are basically similar to those of the aforementioned method embodiments, the description is relatively simple, and relevant details can be found in the descriptions of the method embodiments.

[0082] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to an ingress node, which is located within an IGP network, and the method includes: Receive prefix routing messages sent by other nodes in the IGP network. The prefix routing message includes at least one prefix and a color value corresponding to each prefix. The at least one prefix is ​​published by another node through the prefix routing message. Get the color value of the locally established tunnel; Calculate the route to each prefix based on the color value corresponding to each prefix and the color value of the tunnel.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the IS-IS protocol is running within the IGP network, the prefix routing message includes a TLV, the TLV includes a sub-TLV, and the sub-TLV carries the color value corresponding to the prefix; or; When the OSPF protocol is running within the IGP network, the prefix routing message includes a TLV, the TLV includes a sub-TLV, and the sub-TLV carries the color value corresponding to the prefix.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of calculating the route to each prefix based on the color value corresponding to each prefix and the color value of the tunnel specifically includes: If the first prefix does not have a corresponding color value, or if the first prefix has a corresponding color value but there is no local tunnel with a matching color, then obtain the link attributes of the normal link and the tunnel attributes of the tunnel that does not have a color value. Calculate the route to the first prefix based on the link attributes and tunnel attributes.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of calculating the route to each prefix based on the color value corresponding to each prefix and the color value of the tunnel specifically includes: If the first prefix has a corresponding color value and there is a local tunnel with a matching color, then obtain the link attributes of the normal link, the tunnel attributes of the tunnel without a color value, and the tunnel attributes of the tunnel with a color value. Calculate the route to the first prefix based on the link attributes and tunnel attributes.

5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, When the ingress node is enabled in strict matching mode, the calculation of the route to each prefix based on the color value corresponding to each prefix and the color value of the tunnel specifically includes: If the first prefix does not have a corresponding color value, or if the first prefix has a corresponding color value but there is no local tunnel with a matching color, then obtain the link attribute of the normal link. Calculate the route to the first prefix based on the link attributes.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, When the ingress node is enabled in strict matching mode, the calculation of the route to each prefix based on the color value corresponding to each prefix and the color value of the tunnel specifically includes: If the first prefix has a corresponding color value and there is a local tunnel with a matching color, then obtain the link attributes of the normal link and the tunnel attributes of the tunnel with the color value. Calculate the route to the first prefix based on the link attributes and tunnel attributes.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive configuration instructions input by the user, the configuration instructions including a specified color value; Apply an IGP shortcut to the specified color value.

8. A communication device, characterized in that, The device is applied to an ingress node, which is located within an IGP network, and the device includes: The receiving unit is configured to receive prefix routing messages sent by other nodes within the IGP network. The prefix routing message includes at least one prefix and a color value corresponding to each prefix, wherein the at least one prefix is ​​published by another node through the prefix routing message. The acquisition unit is used to obtain the color value of the locally established tunnel; The calculation unit is used to calculate the route to each prefix based on the color value corresponding to each prefix and the color value of the tunnel.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, When the IS-IS protocol is running within the IGP network, the prefix routing message includes a TLV, the TLV includes a sub-TLV, and the sub-TLV carries the color value corresponding to the prefix; or; When the OSPF protocol is running within the IGP network, the prefix routing message includes a TLV, the TLV includes a sub-TLV, and the sub-TLV carries the color value corresponding to the prefix.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, The calculation unit is specifically used to obtain the link attributes of the normal link and the tunnel attributes of the tunnel that does not have a color value if the first prefix does not have a corresponding color value or if the first prefix has a corresponding color value and there is no local tunnel with a matching color. Calculate the route to the first prefix based on the link attributes and tunnel attributes.

11. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, The calculation unit is specifically used to obtain the link attributes of the ordinary link, the tunnel attributes of the tunnel without a color value, and the tunnel attributes of the tunnel with a color value if the first prefix has a corresponding color value and there is a local tunnel with a matching color. Calculate the route to the first prefix based on the link attributes and tunnel attributes.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that, When the ingress node is enabled in strict matching mode, the computing unit is specifically used to obtain the link attributes of the normal link if the first prefix does not have a corresponding color value or if the first prefix has a corresponding color value and there is no local tunnel with a matching color. Calculate the route to the first prefix based on the link attributes.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that, When the ingress node is enabled in strict matching mode, the computing unit is specifically used to obtain the link attributes of the ordinary link and the tunnel attributes of the tunnel with the color value if the first prefix has a corresponding color value and there is a local tunnel with color matching. Calculate the route to the first prefix based on the link attributes and tunnel attributes.

14. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, The receiving unit is further configured to receive configuration instructions input by the user, the configuration instructions including a specified color value; The device further includes a processing unit for performing IGP Shortcut routing on the specified color value.

Images