ACH Capability Negotiation in MPLS LSP Nodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication technologies lack a negotiation mechanism for Associated Channel (ACH) capability between nodes on Label Switched Paths (LSP) in MPLS networks, leading to potential loss or erroneous forwarding of special packets.
Innovation Solution
A method and node device that negotiate ACH capability by modifying the Path and Resv messages to include and exchange ACH capability information between nodes, ensuring transparent ACH capability awareness along the LSP.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If ACH is directly used without negotiation, then transmission of special packets can be simplified, but nodes that do not support ACH capability may discard or erroneously forward packets leading to loss or misrouting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements capability negotiation through Path and Resv messages before actual ACH data transmission begins. Nodes exchange ACH capability information in advance during LSP setup, allowing them to determine compatibility before special packets are transmitted, thus preventing packet loss while maintaining operational simplicity
2Reliability
If ACH capability negotiation is implemented through Path and Resv messages, then nodes become aware of each other's ACH capability avoiding packet loss, but the message exchange process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges ACH capability negotiation with the existing RSVP-TE Path and Resv message exchange process. By embedding ACH capability information within these already-necessary signaling messages, the patent avoids creating separate negotiation protocols, thus improving reliability without proportionally increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The Path and Resv messages serve dual purposes: establishing LSP routing and exchanging ACH capability information. This multi-functionality allows the same message infrastructure to handle both traditional RSVP-TE operations and ACH capability negotiation, reducing overall system complexity while ensuring reliable packet delivery
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to the field of communications technologies, and discloses a method and node device and for negotiating an Associated Channel (ACH) capability between nodes. The method includes: receiving a Path message that is sent by an upstream node and carries an ACH capability of the upstream node; creating a new Path message and sending the new Path message to a downstream node, where the new Path message includes the ACH capability of the upstream node; receiving a Reserve (Resv) message that is sent by the downstream node and carries information about an ACH capability of the downstream node; and creating a new Resv message and sending the new Resv message to the upstream node, where the new Resv message includes the ACH capability of the downstream node. In the embodiments of the present invention, the ACH capability can be negotiated between nodes on a Label Switched Path (LSP) so that a node on the LSP can know an ACH capability of another node, which avoids loss or erroneous forwarding of a special packet transmitted on an ACH.