G-ACh Header Channel-Type for CFM Packet Filtering in MPLS

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional Connectivity Fault Management (CFM) systems in MPLS networks face issues such as increased complexity, latency, packet loss, incorrect filtering, CPU overloading, and security risks due to hardware-specific Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) filters, and lack of standards for encapsulating CFM payload over MPLS networks.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a specific channel-type value in the Generic Associated Channel (G-ACh) header to uniquely identify CFM packets, which are encapsulated with Pseudo-Wire (PW) and Label-Switched Path (LSP) labels, allowing for accurate filtering and processing of CFM packets within MPLS networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) filters are used for CFM packet filtering, then packet filtering capability is improved, but device complexity and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacket filtering capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the filtering parameter from complex DPI inspection of packet contents to simple matching of G-ACh channel-type values in packet headers. This parameter change enables accurate CFM packet identification without the complexity of DPI filters, resolving the contradiction between filtering capability and system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical DPI filtering system with a standardized G-ACh header-based identification mechanism. This substitution eliminates hardware-specific DPI filters while maintaining accurate packet filtering capability through universal channel-type values defined in RFC 6704

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If hardware-specific DPI filters are used, then packet filtering is achieved, but adaptability across different node types decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacket filtering accuracyVSAvoidnode type adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal G-ACh channel-type value (0x7FF7) that can be used across all node types in the network. This universal identifier replaces hardware-specific DPI filters, enabling the same filtering mechanism to work adaptably across different node types while maintaining accurate CFM packet identification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If CFM packets are transmitted over MPLS network without standard encapsulation, then network flexibility is maintained, but packet loss and latency increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork flexibilityVSAvoidpacket delivery reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the G-ACh header as an intermediary structure between CFM packets and MPLS network transmission. This standardized encapsulation format acts as a mediator that enables reliable packet delivery through proper routing and identification while maintaining network flexibility through standard-compliant encapsulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If incorrect DPI filtering is applied to CFM packets, then filtering operation is performed, but CPU overloading and service outages occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltering operationVSAvoidservice continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential identification feature (G-ACh channel-type value) from the complex DPI filtering process. By taking out only the necessary header field for identification, the system performs filtering operations efficiently without CPU overloading, while maintaining service continuity through accurate packet recognition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS11108689B1Incorporating a generic associated channel (G-ACh) header and channel-type for connectivity fault management (CFM) packets over multi-protocol label switching (MPLS)

Publication Date: 2021.08.31 CIENA CORP

AI summary

Systems and methods for incorporating a new channel-type value in the header of a Generic Associated Channel (G-ACh) for Connectivity Fault Management (CFM) Layer-2 packets over Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) networks are provided. The channel-type value of the G-ACh header may be used for identification of the network-generated CFM Layer-2 packets. In one implementation, a system may include a processing device and a memory device, where the memory device may be configured to store instructions that, when executed, cause the processing device to obtain a Connectivity Fault Management (CFM) packet, encapsulate the CFM packet with Pseudo-Wire (PW) and Label-Switched Path (LSP) labels to create an expanded packet, and incorporate a specific channel-type value in a G-ACh header of the expanded packet to uniquely identify the CFM packet.