Ethernet-MPLS Interworking via Address Mapping

The patent introduces an interworking node as an intermediary between Ethernet and MPLS networks. This node performs address mapping between Ethernet MAC addresses and MPLS network layer addresses, simplifying OAM operations across domains. The intermediary handles the complexity of cross-domain addressing, allowing source nodes to use familiar address types while the interworking node translates to the appropriate format for the target domain.

The patent segments the address mapping function into distinct components: Ethernet address handling, MPLS address handling, and translation logic. By dividing the interworking function into manageable segments, the system achieves versatility across different network domains while keeping each component's complexity low and well-defined.

The interworking node serves as a mediator that shields Ethernet nodes from MPLS addressing complexity. Source nodes in either domain can use their native address formats, and the interworking node handles the translation transparently, making OAM operations easier while managing addressing complexity internally.

The patent uses address copying and translation mechanisms where the interworking node copies address information from one format and transforms it to another. This allows OAM messages to be forwarded with appropriate address translations without requiring source nodes to understand or manually configure cross-domain addressing, simplifying operations.

The interworking node is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple OAM operations (Loopback, Linktrace, etc.) across different network domains. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional node, the system achieves reliable cross-domain OAM while avoiding the need for separate specialized components for each operation type.

The interworking node acts as a universal intermediary that standardizes cross-domain communication. It provides a single point of complexity management that handles address translation, message formatting, and protocol adaptation, thereby enabling reliable OAM functionality without distributing complexity across multiple nodes or components.