Ethernet Path Protection Switching in PBB-TE Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Ethernet path protection methods in PBB-TE networks are inefficient in fault recovery speed and node reduction during protection switching, affecting network reliability and optimization.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a switching method that sets protected TESIs in a protection group, detects statuses of working and protection entities, and switches paths using configured outbound ports and corresponding protection mechanisms based on current status detection, enabling quick fault recovery and reduced node involvement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional Ethernet address learning forwarding is used, then the system is simple to implement, but the forwarding efficiency is low and protection switching speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-configures forwarding paths and protection relationships before faults occur. FDB entries are established in advance with both working and protection outbound ports defined, enabling immediate switching when faults are detected without requiring real-time path computation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the forwarding database into working FDB entries and protection FDB entries, with distinct outbound ports for each. This segmentation allows independent management and rapid switching between working and protection paths without affecting the entire forwarding table
2Reliability
If end-to-end tunnel protection is implemented, then path reliability is improved, but the number of nodes involved in protection switching increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the protection switching logic from intermediate nodes and concentrates it at the endpoint. Only the endpoint performs protection switching by selecting between working and protection outbound ports in its FDB entry, while intermediate nodes simply forward frames based on their B-DA without making switching decisions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the concept of a protection group at the endpoint as an intermediary that manages multiple outbound ports. This protection group acts as a local switch that can rapidly redirect traffic between working and protection paths without involving intermediate tunnel nodes in the switching decision
3Reliability
If protection switching involves multiple nodes, then comprehensive path protection is achieved, but the fault recovery speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-establishes both working and protection FDB entries at the endpoint before faults occur, with all necessary outbound port information already configured. When a fault is detected, the endpoint can immediately switch to the protection path without requiring sequential coordination with intermediate nodes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts protection switching from a multi-node distributed process and concentrates it at the single endpoint node. This extraction reduces the switching process from involving multiple nodes to a single-node operation, dramatically reducing switching time while maintaining comprehensive path protection
Data Source
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AI summary
A switching method for Ethernet path protection is provided in the disclosure. The method includes: setting a group of Traffic Engineering Service Instances (TESIs) protected by a protection group; detecting statuses of a working entity and a protection entity; implementing the path protection switching according to an outbound port configured for Ethernet Switching Path (ESP) of the TESI at the endpoint of the protection group and in conjunction with a corresponding protection switching mechanism selected in current status detection. A switching system for Ethernet path protection is also provided in the disclosure, wherein a switching unit is configured to implement the path protection switching according to the outbound port configured for the ESP of the TESI at the endpoint of the protection group and in conjunction with the corresponding protection switching mechanism selected in current status detection. The method and system of the disclosure can enhance the speed of fault recovery, reduce nodes for the protection switching, be beneficial to network optimization, and ensure the reliability of end-to-end traffic.