Circuit Bundle for Multipoint Virtual Circuit Resiliency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network configurations for Virtual Private Wire Service (VPWS) and Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS) lack effective protection mechanisms for multipoint virtual circuits, as point-to-point virtual circuit protection does not adequately address the needs of multipoint services.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of circuit bundles that group multiple virtual circuits of the same type for resiliency and protection, where an active virtual circuit is selected based on user-configured priority, and alternative circuits are activated if the active one fails, including support for multipoint virtual circuits with different destinations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If point-to-point virtual circuit protection mechanism is used, then point-to-point service resiliency is improved, but multipoint virtual circuit protection is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit bundle mechanism provides a universal protection framework that works for both point-to-point and multipoint virtual circuits. By grouping multiple virtual circuits of the same type in a single bundle and implementing unified failover logic, the system achieves multi-functionality where one protection mechanism serves multiple service types (VPWS and VPLS), resolving the limitation of point-to-point mechanisms not covering multipoint circuits.
2Reliability
If multiple virtual circuits are grouped in a circuit bundle for resiliency, then network reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple virtual circuits of the same type into a single circuit bundle, managing them as one logical entity rather than individual circuits. This combining approach simplifies the overall system architecture by providing unified configuration, monitoring, and failover management for multiple circuits, reducing the operational complexity that would otherwise arise from managing each circuit separately while maintaining high reliability through redundancy.
Data Source
AI summary
A device having circuit bundles and a method of configuring the network device to provide resiliency and protection for network circuits. A circuit bundle provides the ability to group multiple circuits of the same type for resiliency/protection. There is an active virtual circuit that is selected based on a user configured priority value defining priority for carrying circuit traffic. When the active virtual circuit fails, alternative virtual circuits are selected to carry the circuit traffic, again based on user configured priority. Virtual circuits included in the circuit bundle can have different destinations, and include at least multipoint virtual circuits.