Edge Device Control Plane Translation for Layer 2 Interconnection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional network communication techniques face scalability issues when interconnecting Layer 2 networks over a Layer 3 core, particularly due to the need for devices to store MAC address information for all remote devices, which can lead to domain extension across sites and hinder fine-grained traffic management.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where edge devices translate site overlay control plane messages into core overlay control plane messages, allowing for the generation of unique device IDs across sites without extending the domain, and utilizing these IDs for improved load balancing, traffic replication, filtering, and pruning, while applying conversational learning techniques across remote sites.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional OTV protocol uses MAC-in-IP encapsulation to interconnect Layer 2 networks over Layer 3 core, then Layer 2 data plane messages can be communicated over IP network, but scalability problems occur due to devices needing to store MAC address information for all remote devices

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveLayer 2 network interconnection capabilityVSAvoidMAC address information storage requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary translation layer that converts MAC address information into site-local device IDs. Edge devices act as mediators that translate between the OTV control plane protocol (using MAC addresses) and the site overlay control plane protocol (using device IDs). This intermediary mechanism allows devices to store only site-local device IDs rather than all remote MAC addresses, reducing storage requirements while maintaining interconnection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the network domain into separate site-level domains, where each site has its own overlay control plane. Instead of a single domain requiring global MAC address knowledge, the network is divided into multiple independent site domains. Each device only needs to know device IDs within its own site, and edge devices handle cross-site translation. This segmentation dramatically reduces the amount of MAC address information each device must store.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If conventional techniques extend domain across sites for MAC address learning, then devices can learn remote device reachability, but fine-grained traffic management and load balancing are hindered

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDevice reachability knowledgeVSAvoidFine-grained traffic management capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control plane into site-specific overlay control planes rather than a single domain-wide control plane. Each site maintains its own device ID space and reachability information independently. This segmentation enables fine-grained traffic management because each site can make independent routing decisions based on local device IDs without being constrained by domain-wide MAC address tables, improving both reachability and traffic management flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by allowing each site to have its own overlay control plane with site-specific device IDs and reachability information. Instead of uniform domain-wide MAC address learning, each site optimizes its own control plane independently. This local optimization enables fine-grained traffic management and load balancing at each site while maintaining overall network connectivity through edge device translation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If edge devices translate site overlay control plane messages into core overlay control plane messages, then unique device IDs can be generated across sites without domain extension, but translation complexity is introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUnique device ID generation across sitesVSAvoidMessage translation functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by designing edge devices with multi-functional capability to handle both OTV control plane protocol and site overlay control plane protocol. The same edge device performs multiple functions: MAC address learning, device ID generation, message translation, and traffic forwarding. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity despite the translation requirement, as a single device type handles all control plane operations across different protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9191310B2Network interconnection over a core network

Publication Date: 2015.11.17 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a method includes receiving, by a first edge device at a first site, a first site overlay control plane message including control plane information. The first edge device translates the first site overlay control plane message into a core overlay control plane message. The first edge device sends the core overlay control plane message over a core network to a second edge device at a second site.