Ethernet over MPLS via Dedicated LSPs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies for transmitting Ethernet traffic over MPLS networks are complex and do not fully utilize the simplicity and advantages of Ethernet networks, such as multipoint connectivity and timing-over-Ethernet, due to the reliance on virtual Ethernet networks and pseudo wires, which complicates routing and traffic management.
Innovation Solution
A method is proposed to configure nodes in an MPLS network to support non-disjoint label switched paths for Ethernet protocol encapsulation, allowing Ethernet packets to be forwarded over dedicated links without pseudo wires, creating a real Ethernet network that leverages dual-enabled nodes for both MPLS and Ethernet services, enabling simpler operation and traffic protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If EoMPLS technology is used to transmit Ethernet traffic over MPLS networks, then Ethernet data can be transferred over MPLS pseudo wires, but the system becomes very complicated due to the need to implement multiple routing protocols intrinsic for MPLS
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the Ethernet protocol from the MPLS pseudo wire infrastructure and implements it directly over MPLS LSPs. By removing the pseudo wire layer and implementing Ethernet frames directly on MPLS links, the solution eliminates the need for complex MPLS routing protocols while maintaining Ethernet traffic transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes MPLS LSPs universal by enabling them to carry both conventional MPLS traffic and Ethernet traffic simultaneously. Dual-enabled nodes can process both MPLS packets and Ethernet frames on the same physical link, eliminating the need for separate infrastructure and reducing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If virtual Ethernet networks are used to enable Ethernet traffic over MPLS, then Ethernet connectivity can be established, but the simplicity of Ethernet operation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts Ethernet frames from the virtualized MPLS pseudo wire environment and implements them natively on MPLS LSPs. This allows Ethernet to operate with its simple frame-based protocol directly on the network infrastructure, preserving Ethernet's operational simplicity while maintaining connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of embedding Ethernet within complex MPLS virtualization layers, the patent inverts the approach by allowing MPLS LSPs to directly carry Ethernet frames. This reversal of the traditional EoMPLS architecture restores Ethernet's simplicity by eliminating unnecessary virtualization overhead.
3Adaptability or versatility
If pseudo wires are used to create virtual Ethernet networks, then Ethernet services can be provisioned, but traffic protection and routing become complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes pseudo wires from the architecture and implements Ethernet services directly over MPLS LSPs. This extraction eliminates the pseudo wire layer that caused traffic protection complications, allowing Ethernet services to inherit the robust protection mechanisms of the underlying MPLS network directly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables MPLS LSPs to serve dual purposes: carrying both MPLS traffic and Ethernet traffic simultaneously. This universality allows Ethernet services to leverage the same traffic protection and routing mechanisms as conventional MPLS services, simplifying reliability management.
4Adaptability or versatility
If full-mesh of pseudowires is established for VPLS services, then connectivity between all VPLS-PE nodes is achieved, but scaling problems occur in large deployments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts Ethernet connectivity from the full-mesh pseudo wire requirement and implements it through shared MPLS LSPs. By removing the pseudo wire layer, the solution eliminates the n*(n-1) pseudo wire scaling problem while maintaining VPLS connectivity through the shared infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes MPLS LSPs universal carriers that can serve multiple VPLS instances simultaneously. Instead of establishing separate full-mesh connections for each service, multiple Ethernet services share the same LSP infrastructure, dramatically reducing the number of connections needed and improving scalability.
Data Source
AI summary
Creating an Ethernet network, within an existing MPLS network, for one or more specified traffic services by selecting in the MPLS network one or more bidirectional non-disjoint LSPs between dual-enabled nodes, presenting these LSPs as Ethernet-enabled links, deploying over them an Ethernet protocol and forwarding there-along dedicated Ethernet over MPLS packets according to Ethernet forwarding rules regardless any MPLS labels except for a predetermined dedicated LSP label.