Controller Path Establishment for P2MP TE Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of establishing a point-to-multipoint traffic engineering (P2MP TE) path in communication networks, particularly due to the need for nodes to collect and disseminate information across all nodes in the network, complicates network management and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A path establishment method and controller that computes and manages P2MP TE paths using head and tail node information, identifying a target branch node and sending specific information to reduce the need for widespread node communication, thereby simplifying the path establishment process by focusing on key nodes such as the head and branch nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If RSVP refresh messages are used to collect and disseminate node information across all nodes in the P2MP TE network, then complete network topology information can be obtained, but the path establishment process becomes complex and network management becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the path establishment and information management functions from individual nodes and centralizes them in a controller. The controller collects topology information from nodes and performs path computation centrally, eliminating the need for complex RSVP refresh message exchanges between all nodes. This extraction of functions reduces the computational burden and complexity at each node while maintaining complete network topology awareness at the controller.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary between nodes in the P2MP TE network. The controller acts as a mediator that collects topology information from nodes, computes optimal paths, and distributes forwarding entries to relevant nodes. This intermediary approach replaces the direct peer-to-peer information exchange mechanism (RSVP refresh messages) with a centralized coordination mechanism, simplifying the overall system complexity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If RSVP refresh messages are used to notify all nodes of information changes, then all nodes can be kept synchronized, but the notification process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the synchronization function from the distributed node-to-node communication and centralizes it in the controller. When topology changes occur, the controller directly updates its internal state and recomputes affected paths, then pushes updates only to the specific nodes that need them. This eliminates the time-consuming process of broadcasting notifications to all nodes and waiting for acknowledgments.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller maintains preliminary knowledge of the network topology and pre-computes paths. When changes occur, it performs rapid re-computation and immediately pushes updates to affected nodes without waiting for RSVP refresh cycles. This preliminary preparation and proactive update approach reduces synchronization time compared to reactive RSVP-based notification.
3Reliability
If all nodes in the P2MP TE network participate in information collection and dissemination, then complete path information can be established, but the number of communication messages and processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the path computation and forwarding entry generation functions from individual nodes and centralizes them in the controller. Nodes only need to provide basic topology information and receive forwarding entries, significantly reducing their processing overhead. The controller handles the complex path computation and ensures reliable path establishment, while nodes perform simple forwarding based on received instructions.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring all nodes to participate fully in path establishment and information dissemination, the patent implements partial participation where only the controller performs comprehensive path computation and only specific nodes (head node, branch nodes, tail nodes) receive relevant forwarding entries. This partial action approach maintains path establishment reliability while dramatically reducing communication overhead compared to full participation by all nodes.
Data Source
AI summary
A path establishment method and a controller are disclosed. The method includes: when detecting a path establishment request for establishing P2MP TE, computing a P2MP TE path by using head node information and tail node information included in the path establishment request; identifying a target branch node in the P2MP TE path, and obtaining a label of the target branch node; and when a third node corresponding to the head node information and the target branch node are not a same node, sending first information to the third node, and sending second information to the target branch node, where the second information is used to instruct the target branch node to generate a multicast forwarding entry. Embodiments of this application can reduce complexity of establishing the P2MP TE path.