EVPN Signaling via Segment Routing for Fast MAC Learning
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Solution Overview
Problem
EVPN technology faces challenges with slow MAC address learning and network failure response due to its control plane-based approach, leading to scalability issues and slower reaction times compared to data plane MAC learning.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of Segment Routing techniques for Ethernet Virtual Private Network (EVPN) signaling, which leverages data plane MAC address learning using Segment Identifiers (SIDs) to simplify BGP overhead, enabling fast convergence and scalability while maintaining benefits like all-active redundancy and auto-discovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If control plane-based MAC address learning is used in EVPN, then MAC address distribution is achieved, but learning speed is slow and scalability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts MAC address learning from the control plane (BGP signaling) and places it in the data plane (packet forwarding path). This is achieved by having nodes learn MAC addresses directly from incoming packets through the forwarding plane, eliminating the need for separate control plane advertising of MAC addresses, thus achieving fast learning without control plane overhead
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces Segment Routing as an intermediary mechanism that enables data plane MAC learning. Segment Identifiers (SIDs) are used to encode path information in the data plane, allowing nodes to learn MAC addresses from packets while maintaining the EVPN service structure, thus bridging the gap between data plane speed and EVPN service requirements
2Adaptability or versatility
If all EVI members learn all MAC addresses, then complete MAC address distribution is achieved, but scalability is reduced due to unnecessary learning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by enabling each node to learn only the MAC addresses relevant to its local needs through data plane packet reception. Nodes learn MAC addresses from packets that actually reach them, rather than receiving all MAC addresses through control plane signaling, thus achieving scalable selective learning while maintaining necessary MAC address information
3Reliability
If control plane signaling is used for MAC learning, then MAC address distribution is achieved, but reaction time to network failures is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by continuously learning MAC addresses in the data plane during normal packet forwarding. This ongoing data plane learning ensures that MAC address information is already available and up-to-date before failures occur, enabling immediate convergence when network failures happen without waiting for control plane signaling
Data Source
AI summary
A node in a Segment Routing network includes a plurality of ports and a switching fabric between the plurality of ports, wherein, for an Ethernet Virtual Private Network (EVPN)-Virtual Private Local Area Network Service (VPLS), a port is configured to transmit a packet with a plurality of Segment Identifiers (SID) including a destination SID that identifies a destination node of the packet, a service SID that identifies an EVPN Instance (EVI), and a source SID that identifies one of the node and an Ethernet Segment (ES) that includes the node. The port can be further configured to receive a second packet with a second plurality of SIDs, and learn a Media Access Control (MAC) address based on a second service SID and a second source SID, of the second packet.