Ethernet Switch Broadcast Pruning via C-VID Learning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multicast and broadcast data frames in enterprise networks with multiple locations interconnected via provider bridging networks lead to unnecessary bandwidth consumption due to forwarding based on service identifiers, resulting in wastage of network resources.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system and method for broadcast pruning in Ethernet-based provider bridging networks, where Ethernet switches learn and store customer VLAN identifiers (C-VIDs) to filter out extraneous paths, ensuring data frames are forwarded only to relevant destinations within the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If broadcast/multicast data frames are forwarded based on service identifiers (SID) in provider backbone networks, then data frames can be delivered to all locations in the enterprise, but unnecessary traffic is generated consuming valuable network bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the broadcast domain by introducing VLAN-aware switching in the provider backbone network. Instead of treating all locations uniformly, the system divides the network into segments based on customer VLAN identifiers (C-VIDs), allowing selective forwarding of data frames only to locations that belong to the same VLAN, thereby eliminating unnecessary traffic while maintaining reliable delivery to intended destinations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making forwarding decisions based on location-specific VLAN membership information. Each location in the enterprise network is assigned specific C-VIDs that identify its VLAN affiliation, and the provider backbone network uses this local identification to customize forwarding behavior, ensuring data frames are only sent to locations with matching VLAN identifiers
2Adaptability or versatility
If broadcast data frames are flooded to all locations in the enterprise network, then all locations receive the data frames, but wastage of bandwidth occurs in the provider backbone network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic VLAN-aware forwarding in the provider backbone network. Instead of static flooding to all locations, the system dynamically determines forwarding paths based on real-time VLAN membership information stored in the network switches. This dynamic approach allows the network to adapt its forwarding behavior based on the specific VLAN identifiers associated with each location, eliminating bandwidth wastage while maintaining flexible data frame distribution
3Device complexity
If service identifiers (SID) are assigned without considering originating entity VLAN information, then simplified forwarding can be achieved, but unnecessary copies of data frames are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing and storing VLAN-to-location mapping information in the provider backbone network switches before data frame forwarding occurs. The network pre-learns which locations belong to which VLANs based on customer network configurations, and this pre-computed mapping is used during runtime to make forwarding decisions, eliminating the need for complex real-time analysis while preventing unnecessary data frame copies
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for delivering multicast/broadcast data frames, originating in a service virtual local area network (S-VLAN), to a plurality of locations on a customer network is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for delivering multicast/broadcast data frames includes analyzing ingress data frames, including customer virtual local area network identifiers (C-VIDs) associated with one or more divisions within one of a plurality of locations assigned by a customer network, received via incoming ports of each Ethernet switch associated with one of the plurality of locations and learning the C-VIDs of the ingress data frames, storing the learnt C-VIDs in the Ethernet switch, and forwarding the multicast/broadcast data frames to the one or more of the plurality of locations, via one or more outgoing ports of one or more of multiple Ethernet switches associated with the plurality of locations, based on the learnt and stored C-VIDs by each Ethernet switch.