Aggregated Fault Message Generation for Ethernet Tunnel Networks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In computer networks, the conventional method of generating fault messages for each MPLS-TP tunnel affected by a link failure leads to significant time delays and increased traffic as the number of LSPs increases, due to the generation of individual fault messages for every tunnel traversing the faulty link.
Innovation Solution
A device determines common Ethernet segments shared by affected tunnels and generates aggregated fault messages, which are then sent over a selected tunnel, reducing the number of messages and speeding up notification by bundling information across these segments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If individual fault messages are generated for every MPLS-TP tunnel traversing a faulty link, then complete fault information is provided to endpoints, but significant time delays occur and traffic increases as the number of LSPs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual fault messages into a single aggregated fault message that contains information about multiple affected tunnels. This is achieved by collecting tunnel identifiers and fault information from multiple LSPs and consolidating them into one message, thereby reducing the number of messages transmitted while preserving complete fault information for all affected tunnels.
Solution Approach 2:
The aggregated fault message serves multiple functions simultaneously: it notifies endpoints of faults affecting multiple tunnels, provides identification information for each affected tunnel, and enables centralized fault management. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for separate individual fault messages for each tunnel.
2Loss of information
If individual fault messages are generated for every MPLS-TP tunnel traversing a faulty link, then complete fault information is provided to endpoints, but message traffic increases as the number of LSPs increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fault messages are merged into a single aggregated message that contains consolidated fault information for multiple tunnels. This combining approach significantly reduces the volume of control plane traffic while ensuring that complete fault information is conveyed to endpoints for all affected tunnels.
3Measurement precision
If individual fault messages are generated for every MPLS-TP tunnel traversing a faulty link, then detailed tunnel-specific fault notification is achieved, but processing time at endpoints increases
Solution Approach 1:
The aggregated fault message is structured with a hierarchical format that segments information into an aggregation indicator field and tunnel identifier fields. This segmentation allows endpoints to efficiently process the message by first identifying the aggregation level and then extracting specific tunnel information as needed, reducing processing complexity while maintaining precise fault notification.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a device in a computer network determines one or more tunnels affected by a downstream fault in the computer network, and determines one or more common Ethernet segments of the device used by the affected tunnels. As such, the device generates, for each of the one or more common Ethernet segments, a respective fault message aggregating tunnel information of each of one or more particular affected tunnels on the corresponding common Ethernet segment, and sends each respective fault message with aggregated tunnel information over a selected tunnel of the one or more particular affected tunnels on the corresponding common Ethernet segment.