Aggregate Link Bundles in MPLS LSPs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implementing global repair for MPLS LSPs is time intensive and costly due to frequent link failures and link flapping, as it requires reconstructing paths upon single link failures.
Innovation Solution
Using an aggregated link bundle as a primary path, where routers select paths based on extended CSPF path computation that favors aggregated link bundles over single links, reducing the need for global repair by configuring the aggregated link bundle as a preferred LSP.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If global repair is implemented for each link failure, then path reliability is improved, but time consumption and operational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-computes and configures backup LSPs during normal operation before failures occur. When a link failure happens, the system can immediately switch to the pre-configured backup path without performing time-consuming global repair computations, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining high reliability and reducing time consumption.
2Reliability
If global repair is implemented for each link failure, then path reliability is improved, but operational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs backup path configuration in advance during normal operation, so that when failures occur, no additional expensive global repair operations are needed. This preliminary preparation maintains path reliability while significantly reducing operational costs associated with frequent global repairs.
3Productivity
If aggregated link bundle is used as primary path, then global repair frequency is reduced, but path selection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the CSPF path computation by introducing a new parameter that identifies aggregated link bundles. This parameter change enables the path selection algorithm to prefer aggregated bundles over single links, reducing global repair frequency while managing complexity through a straightforward parameter extension rather than complex decision logic.
Data Source
AI summary
The techniques described herein may reduce global repairs in Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) Label-Switched Paths (LSPs) by using an aggregated link bundle as a primary path when multiple paths are available. As an example, a router may determine a respective interface type for each path of a plurality of paths; determine, based on the respective interface types, whether one or more paths from the plurality of paths satisfies a set of constraints that are configured such that an aggregated link bundle interface type is preferred over a single link interface type; determine a preferred path based on whether the set of constraints were satisfied; configure a routing table of the router with the preferred path as a LSP to the destination; and send, based on the routing table, one or more packets using an interface of the router associated with the LSP.