Dynamic BUM Traffic Filtering in EVPN PE Nodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for addressing Ethernet Virtual Private Tree (E-TREE) in L2VPN rely on an egress-filtering model, which wastes bandwidth by transporting Broadcast, Unknown Unicast, and Multicast (BUM) traffic over the MPLS network only to be dropped on the egress PE, inefficiently utilizing the network resources.
Innovation Solution
Implementing dynamic ingress and egress filtering of BUM traffic in Ethernet Virtual Private Networks (EVPNs) through accurate route advertisements and EVPN signaling extensions, allowing each PE to determine whether to perform ingress or egress filtering based on the status of connected nodes, thereby optimizing traffic routing and reducing unnecessary bandwidth usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If egress-filtering model is used to ensure BUM traffic is dropped at egress PE, then traffic forwarding simplicity is maintained, but network bandwidth is wasted due to unnecessary traffic transport across MPLS network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional egress-filtering approach by implementing ingress-filtering instead. At the ingress PE, the system determines whether to forward BUM traffic based on the egress PE's node status information. This inversion prevents unnecessary traffic from being transported across the MPLS network in the first place, thereby eliminating bandwidth waste while maintaining forwarding simplicity through automated decision-making at the ingress point.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the egress PE send status information about connected nodes to the ingress PE before BUM traffic is forwarded. This advance information allows the ingress PE to make informed decisions about whether to forward traffic, preventing unnecessary traffic transport before it occurs and optimizing network bandwidth utilization.
2Productivity
If dynamic ingress filtering is implemented to optimize bandwidth usage, then network efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases due to route advertisement mechanisms and signaling extensions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces status information as an intermediary mechanism between the egress PE and ingress PE. This intermediary carries node status information that enables automated filtering decisions without requiring complex configuration management. The status information acts as a mediator that simplifies the interaction between PEs and enables dynamic optimization while maintaining relative system simplicity through standardized signaling extensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by having the egress PE continuously provide status information about connected nodes to the ingress PE. This feedback loop enables the ingress PE to dynamically adjust filtering decisions based on real-time network conditions, optimizing network efficiency while the automated nature of the feedback mechanism prevents excessive complexity in filtering configurations.
3Ease of operation
If BUM traffic is forwarded to all PEs regardless of destination, then traffic routing simplicity is maintained, but unnecessary traffic transmission consumes network resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the BUM traffic forwarding decision localized to each ingress PE based on specific egress PE status information. Instead of a uniform approach where all traffic is forwarded to all PEs, the system applies selective forwarding at each ingress PE based on local knowledge of which egress PEs have relevant connected nodes. This reduces unnecessary traffic volume while maintaining routing simplicity through automated local decision-making.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a method includes receiving, at a first PE in a network of EVPNs, one or more of information on status of one or more nodes connected to the first PE, the one or more nodes being one of a leaf node or a root node; and a respective advertisement message from one or more second PEs. The method further includes performing one or more of generating, based on the information, a route advertisement message indicative of the status of the one or more nodes connected to the first PE, wherein the route advertisement message is shared with one or more second PEs; and based on the respective advertisement message received from each of the one or more second PEs, dynamically adjust configurations at the first PE, to perform ingress filtering or egress filtering of Broadcast, Unknown Unicast, and Multicast (BUM) traffic received at the first PE