Context Virtual Circuit Labeling for Ingress Node Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Virtual Private Network (VPN) technologies based on Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS), such as L2VPN, L3VPN, and EVPN, the existing protocols face challenges in identifying the ingress node of data packets within Multi Peer to Peer (MP2P) tunnels, leading to inability to process data packets differently based on their ingress nodes during forwarding.
Innovation Solution
A virtual circuit-based data packet processing method is introduced, where identification information of next-hop and original PE nodes is determined, and a context virtual circuit is established to carry VPN labels and virtual circuit labels, enabling the forwarding of data packets with context information to identify the ingress node.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If MP2P tunnels are used for VPN services, then routing flexibility and reachability are improved, but the ability to identify ingress nodes and perform differential processing is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a context virtual circuit as an intermediary mechanism between the MP2P tunnel and the data packet forwarding process. This context virtual circuit carries identification information of the ingress node (OPE node) without altering the underlying MP2P tunnel structure, thus preserving routing flexibility while enabling ingress node identification through the additional contextual layer.
2Adaptability or versatility
If context information is added to data packets, then differential processing capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the forwarding information into two distinct parts: the MP2P tunnel label for basic routing and the context virtual circuit label for ingress node identification. This segmentation allows the forwarding device to process different types of information separately, improving differential processing capability while managing complexity through structured information organization rather than monolithic processing logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to the label stacking mechanism by introducing context virtual circuit labels alongside existing VPN labels. This dimensional expansion enables the system to carry multiple types of forwarding information (tunnel routing + ingress node identification) simultaneously, allowing differential processing without fundamentally changing the existing forwarding architecture.
3Measurement precision
If context virtual circuits are established between PE nodes, then packet context identification is improved, but control plane complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the context virtual circuit mechanism universal by enabling any PE node to serve as an OPE node for any VPN service instance. Rather than requiring specialized configurations for specific node pairs, the system provides a general-purpose framework where context virtual circuits can be dynamically established between any relevant PE nodes, improving packet context identification while avoiding the complexity of node-specific control logic.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a virtual circuit-based data packet processing method, which includes that: identification information of a next-hop Provider Edge (PE) node of a routing packet and identification information of an Original PE (OPE) node of the routing packet are determined according to the routing packet corresponding to a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service instance; a context virtual circuit is determined, wherein nodes at both ends of the context virtual circuit are respectively the current PE node and the OPE node; a virtual circuit label of the context virtual circuit is determined; a final data packet to be forwarded is obtained by carrying a VPN label of the routing packet and the virtual circuit label with an initial data packet of the VPN service instance; and the final data packet to be forwarded is forwarded to the next-hop PE node.