Network Bridge Interworking Ethernet and MPLS Traffic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Migrating from Ethernet-based networks to MPLS/MPLS-TP networks is challenging due to differences in routing and forwarding technologies, requiring minimal service disruption and the ability to concurrently support Ethernet and MPLS services.
Innovation Solution
A network bridge configured with C-VLAN, S-VLAN, and MPLS components that receives Ethernet frames from customer equipment, adds MPLS information, and forwards them between MPLS and Ethernet networks based on C-VID or S-VID values, enabling seamless traffic conveyance and supporting Label Switched Paths and acting as a Label Edge Router.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Ethernet-based networks are migrated to MPLS/MPLS-TP networks, then network performance and routing capabilities are improved, but service disruption and migration complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dual-component architecture (C-VLAN component and S-VLAN component) that acts as an intermediary between Ethernet and MPLS networks. The C-VLAN component handles customer-specific VLAN tagging while the S-VLAN component manages service-level VLAN tagging, enabling seamless protocol translation and migration without service interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The network bridge is segmented into distinct functional components: C-VLAN component for customer VLAN handling, S-VLAN component for service VLAN handling, and MPLS component for label switching. This segmentation allows independent operation and migration of each layer without affecting the others, minimizing service disruption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If Ethernet and MPLS services are concurrently supported, then network versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network bridge is designed with multi-functional components that can handle both Ethernet framing and MPLS label switching within the same device. The C-VLAN component and S-VLAN component work together to provide universal support for both protocol families, allowing operators to run legacy Ethernet services alongside new MPLS services without requiring separate infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to network bridging by introducing the S-VLAN layer above the traditional C-VLAN layer. This dimensional addition (service VLAN identifier layer) enables MPLS functionality while preserving the existing customer VLAN structure, effectively adding capabilities without fundamentally redesigning the entire system.
Data Source
AI summary
A network bridge configured to convey customer traffic between a customer equipment and any of an MPLS network and an Ethernet network is disclosed. The network bridge comprises a C-VLAN component, an S-VLAN component and an MPLS component. The C-VLAN component can receive an Ethernet frame that carries the customer traffic, and forward the Ethernet frame to the S-VLAN component or to the MPLS component in dependence of a C-VID value of the Ethernet frame. The MPLS component can, when the Ethernet frame is received from the C-VLAN component, add MPLS information to the Ethernet frame, and forward the Ethernet frame to the S-VLAN component. The S-VLAN component then forwards the Ethernet frame to any of the MPLS network and the Ethernet network. A related network core bridge, methods and computer-readable medium are also described.