Auto-Configuring Network Nodes for Metro Ethernet Virtual Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Metro Ethernet Networks, the split administrative domains between Service Providers and customers lead to challenges such as mis-configurations and confusion regarding service activation, necessitating a decoupling of configuration tasks to improve efficiency and reduce errors.
Innovation Solution
A node in the network is configured to automatically identify active Ethernet Virtual Connections (EVCs) and assign IP subnets to them, using a discovery module and subnet assignment module to synchronize assignments across nodes without requiring global knowledge of the network topology.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Service Providers and customers share administrative control over EVC configuration, then service coordination is possible, but mis-configurations and confusion about service activation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables customer devices to automatically discover and configure themselves with appropriate IP subnets based on advertised EVC information from Service Provider network elements. The customer premises equipment autonomously performs configuration tasks by receiving EVC advertisements, determining available EVCs, and automatically assigning IP subnets without manual coordination, thereby eliminating mis-configurations while reducing administrative complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Service Provider network elements pre-configure and advertise EVC information including identifiers and associated IP subnets before customer device connection. This preliminary configuration allows customer devices to automatically receive and process EVC advertisements, determining available connections and performing self-configuration without requiring real-time coordination during service activation
2Productivity
If manual configuration coordination between Service Provider and customer is required, then configuration control is maintained, but service activation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Customer premises equipment automatically performs configuration by receiving EVC advertisements from Service Provider network elements and autonomously determining available EVCs and assigning IP subnets. This self-service mechanism eliminates time-consuming manual coordination between Service Providers and customers, significantly accelerating service activation while maintaining configuration control through automated processes
Solution Approach 2:
Service Provider network elements pre-advertise EVC information including identifiers and IP subnet associations before customer connection. This preliminary action enables customer devices to immediately process available EVC information upon connection and perform automatic configuration without waiting for manual coordination, thereby reducing service activation time
3Reliability
If IP subnet assignment is manually coordinated, then assignment accuracy is maintained, but configuration errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
Customer premises equipment automatically determines available EVCs from advertised information and autonomously assigns appropriate IP subnets based on received EVC identifiers and subnet associations. This automated self-service process eliminates human error in manual coordination while maintaining assignment consistency through systematic algorithms that match EVCs with appropriate IP subnets, thereby improving both reliability and operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
Service Provider network elements advertise EVC information including identifiers and associated IP subnets to customer devices. Customer premises equipment receives this feedback, processes the available EVC information, and automatically configures itself with appropriate IP subnets. This feedback mechanism ensures consistent and accurate IP subnet assignment by basing configuration decisions on advertised network state information
Data Source
AI summary
Various systems and methods for automatically configuring network devices coupled to a network that provides (or is capable of providing) multipoint virtual connections are disclosed. One such method involves receiving information identifying a plurality of virtual connections (VCs) available within a network. The method identifies a set of one or more nodes that are configured with one of several Internet Protocol (IP) subnets and that have access to one of the VCs, and then assigns each of the IP subnets to a unique one of the VCs.