Ethernet ATM OAM Interworking for Fast Failure Notification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Layer 3 IP routing protocols are inefficient in detecting and responding to network failures between Ethernet and ATM domains, taking 30-60 seconds, whereas Frame Relay/ATM networks achieve failure notification in 1-2 seconds, necessitating a faster and more reliable method for integrating Operations, Administration, and Management (OAM) traffic failure notifications across these domains.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for interworking Ethernet OAM and ATM OAM protocols to enable near-real-time failure notification by converting failure messages between domains using an interworking facility that maps destination addresses from one network format to another, allowing for rapid propagation of failure indications without relying on Layer 3 IP Routing Protocols or 'hello' messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Layer 3 IP routing protocols are used to detect network failures between Ethernet and ATM domains, then routing around failures can be achieved, but the response time is slow (30-60 seconds)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces OAM (Operations, Administration, and Management) protocols as an intermediary mechanism between Ethernet and ATM domains. These protocols establish dedicated monitoring channels that independently detect link failures and propagate failure notifications across domain boundaries, bypassing the slow Layer 3 routing protocol dependency and achieving sub-second failure detection.
2Loss of time
If Frame Relay/ATM networks are used for failure notification, then fast response time (1-2 seconds) is achieved, but integration with Ethernet domains requires complex protocol interworking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universal OAM functionality that operates across both Ethernet and ATM domains using standardized failure notification mechanisms. The OAM framework provides domain-agnostic failure detection and notification capabilities, allowing a single unified approach to work across different network technologies without requiring complex domain-specific interworking solutions.
3Loss of time
If Ethernet OAM is implemented to achieve fast failure notification, then response time improves, but integration with ATM OAM requires additional complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces boundary elements at the interface between Ethernet and ATM domains that perform protocol translation and message format conversion. These boundary elements receive OAM failure notifications from one domain, translate the message formats and address structures, and forward them to the other domain, enabling seamless OAM integration while maintaining the fast failure notification capabilities of both Ethernet and ATM OAM systems.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a network architecture that interworks OA&M (Operations, Administration and Maintenance) failure notification data from the ATM Domain to the Ethernet Domain and vice versa. Failure indications or notifications are typically routed from one domain to another within 1-2 seconds; providing service providers and customers the ability to react quickly to network faults. This enhances the overall quality of the Ethernet-to-ATM Interworking service and provides a similar level of reliability across the Ethernet/ATM/FR domains.