EVPN PE Device MAC/IP Advertisement Route Load Sharing

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Solution Overview

Problem

In Ethernet Virtual Private Networks (EVPN), load sharing between multiple Provider Edge (PE) devices is inefficient due to one PE device not being able to forward traffic directly to a Customer Edge (CE) device that is multi-homed to multiple PE devices, resulting in wasted bandwidth resources.

Innovation Solution

The method involves PE devices exchanging MAC/IP advertisement routes and generating forwarding entries to enable direct packet forwarding between CE devices and PE devices, even when one PE device does not learn the MAC route from the CE device, allowing for effective load sharing and fast reroute capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a PE device uses conventional data plane MAC address learning, then MAC address learning is simple, but load sharing between multiple PE devices cannot be effectively implemented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload sharing efficiencyVSAvoidMAC address learning mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional data plane MAC address learning mechanism with a control plane-based solution using BGP MAC/IP advertisement routes. This substitution enables PE devices to exchange MAC route information through control plane protocols, allowing effective load sharing while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized protocol mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces MAC/IP advertisement routes as an intermediary mechanism between PE devices and CE devices. These advertisement routes serve as mediators that carry MAC address information and routing paths, enabling PE devices to discover alternative paths for load sharing without direct complex interactions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a PE device does not learn MAC route from CE device, then MAC address learning is simplified, but direct packet forwarding to CE device cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveMAC address learning operationVSAvoidpacket forwarding capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by having PE devices proactively send BGP MAC/IP advertisement routes to notify other PE devices about MAC address learning and available paths before packet forwarding is needed. This advance information exchange ensures that when packet forwarding is required, the necessary routing information is already in place, enabling direct forwarding even when local MAC learning is not complete

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of energy

If PE devices use aliasing manner for load sharing, then bandwidth resources are utilized, but failure convergence speed is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth resource utilizationVSAvoidfailure convergence time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where PE devices continuously exchange BGP MAC/IP advertisement routes and receive notifications about path changes. When failures occur, this feedback information enables rapid detection and convergence by allowing PE devices to quickly update their forwarding paths based on real-time network status information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11677587B2EVPN packet processing method, device, and system for mac learning via MAC/IP advertisement route

Publication Date: 2023.06.13 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A method includes a second provider edge (PE) device sending, to a first PE device, a media access control (MAC) route learned from a customer edge (CE) device, wherein the first PE device generates a MAC forwarding entry based on the MAC route, wherein the first PE device may forward, based on the MAC forwarding entry using the CE device, a packet whose destination MAC address is the CE device or a MAC address of a terminal device accessing the CE device, and wherein an outbound interface identifier included in the MAC forwarding entry is an identifier of an interface connected to the CE device.