Ethernet Virtual Circuit Provisioning via Link-Layer Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Ethernet Virtual Circuit (EVC) establishment protocols are complex, costly, and inefficient due to reliance on multiple layers of the OSI model, leading to scalability issues, delayed recovery from failures, and bandwidth management challenges.
Innovation Solution
Configuring bi-directional point-to-point EVCs using a single layer of the OSI model, with network elements communicating through Ethernet protocols to establish connections quickly and manage bandwidth effectively, reducing complexity and operational costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multi-layer OSI protocols (RSVP, LDP) are used to establish EVCs, then connection establishment capability is achieved, but system complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the EVC establishment functionality from the complex multi-layer OSI protocol stack (RSVP, LDP, TCP) and implements it directly at the Ethernet link layer using simple broadcast/multicast frames. This removes unnecessary protocol layers while preserving the core connection establishment capability, thereby reducing system complexity and operational costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical complexity of multi-layer protocol processing with a simpler Ethernet link-layer mechanism that uses broadcast and multicast frames for EVC establishment. This substitution eliminates the need for complex protocol stacks, TCP connections, and multiple processing layers, achieving the same functional result with significantly reduced complexity.
2Reliability
If traditional multi-layer protocols are used for EVC establishment, then connection setup is achieved, but re-establishment time after failure is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having network elements continuously monitor link status and maintain EVC state information in advance. When a failure occurs, the system can immediately trigger re-establishment procedures using pre-configured parameters and stored state, eliminating the need for time-consuming protocol negotiations and enabling rapid recovery.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple EVCs are established in network infrastructure, then connectivity is improved, but resource consumption and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing a single, unified Ethernet link-layer mechanism that handles all EVC establishment, management, and teardown operations. This universal approach eliminates the need for separate protocol stacks and processing resources for each EVC, allowing multiple EVCs to share the same infrastructure and processing resources, thereby improving scalability and reducing per-EVC resource consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are disclosed for providing a signaling protocol to enable a bi-directional point-to-point Ethernet Virtual Circuits (EVC) to be configured between any two network elements, as part of a network infrastructure. The bi-directional EVC is established by configuration of a source network element and a destination network element, and defines a bi-directional data path across the network infrastructure therebetween. The EVC may include one or more network elements over which the data path may traverse. The methods and systems disclosed may be applied to linear, ring and mesh network topologies.