BIER Packet Forwarding Via IPv6 Address Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conventional method of encapsulating BIER packets using IPv6 addresses in the destination address field leads to inefficient forwarding due to the need to determine packet type based on multiple fields, increasing operational complexity and costs.
Innovation Solution
Fill the destination address field of the IPv6 extension header with a first IPv6 address of a neighboring node, allowing the receiving node to determine BIER forwarding based on an identifier, thereby improving forwarding efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a common IP address is filled in the destination address field of an IPv6 basic header for BIER packet transmission, then the packet can be routed to the correct neighboring node, but the receiving node must determine the packet type based on multiple fields one by one, reducing forwarding efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an IPv6 extension header as an intermediary structure between the basic IPv6 header and the BIER packet payload. This extension header carries a dedicated destination address field that directly identifies the neighboring node for BIER forwarding, eliminating the need for receiving nodes to parse multiple fields to determine packet type. The intermediary header thus mediates between the routing requirement and the forwarding efficiency requirement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the destination address field in the IPv6 basic header is used for BIER packet routing, then standard IPv6 routing can be utilized, but the receiving node cannot quickly identify the packet type without analyzing multiple fields
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the address information into two parts: the destination address field in the IPv6 basic header (which maintains compatibility with standard IPv6 routing) and a separate destination address field in the IPv6 extension header (which provides quick packet type identification). This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously achieve IPv6 routing compatibility and simplified packet type determination.
3Measurement precision
If multiple fields are analyzed to determine packet type in conventional BIER encapsulation, then accurate packet identification can be achieved, but the forwarding process becomes slower and less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-placing the neighboring node's destination address in the destination address field of the IPv6 extension header before packet transmission. This allows receiving nodes to immediately identify the packet type and intended destination without needing to analyze multiple fields sequentially, thus reducing forwarding time while maintaining identification accuracy.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a BIER packet sending method. The method includes: receiving a BIER packet that is encapsulated using an IPv6 protocol and that is sent by a second forwarding device, where the BIER packet includes an IPv6 basic header and a BIER header, a destination address field in the IPv6 basic header is a first IPv6 address of the first forwarding device; determining, based on an identifier corresponding to a first IPv6 address in a forwarding table, to perform BIER forwarding on the BIER packet, where the identifier is used to indicate that the first IPv6 address is a destination address for BIER forwarding. In the technical solution provided in this application, a node may determine, based on the identifier of the first IPv6 address, to perform BIER forwarding on the BIER packet. This prevents a node that receives a BIER packet from determining a packet type based on an IPv6 address in a conventional technology. Therefore, forwarding efficiency is improved.