IGMP Proxy Service for EVPN Network Traffic Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) networks, especially in EVPN environments, there is a significant issue with the flooding of IGMP messages (both reports and queries) leading to network congestion, as these messages are repeatedly transmitted across the network without effective suppression or summarization.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an enhanced IGMP proxy service within Provider Edge (PE) devices to terminate and summarize IGMP reports before propagation, using BGP to create an IGMP overlay subnet, and providing proxy query functionality to suppress IGMP membership reports and queries, thereby reducing network traffic and enhancing message handling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If IGMP messages are repeatedly transmitted across the network without suppression, then message delivery coverage is improved, but network congestion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple IGMP report messages into a single summarized message. The IGMP proxy device collects membership information from multiple downstream devices and consolidates it into one upstream message, reducing the total number of messages transmitted across the network while maintaining complete membership information.
Solution Approach 2:
The IGMP proxy device acts as an intermediary between downstream IGMP members and the multicast router. It terminates IGMP messages downstream, processes them locally, and generates summarized messages upstream, thereby mediating the message flow and reducing network congestion in the core network.
2Quantity of substance
If IGMP proxy summarization is implemented, then network traffic is reduced, but message processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The IGMP proxy functionality is segmented into distinct components: a message reception module that collects IGMP messages from downstream devices, a summarization module that consolidates membership information, and a message transmission module that sends summarized messages upstream. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function, making the overall complex process more manageable and implementable.
3Reliability
If multiple IGMP messages are transmitted without summarization, then message delivery reliability is improved, but network congestion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of message format from individual device-specific IGMP reports to a summarized format that aggregates membership information. This parameter change allows the same reliability of message delivery to be achieved with fewer messages, thereby improving network throughput and reducing congestion.
Data Source
AI summary
Message summarization and flood suppression may be provided. A proxy (e.g., an IGMP Proxy) process may be used to reduce the flooding of messages (e.g., IGMP messages) over a network (e.g., an EVPN network). A triggering process may also be provided for provider edge (PE) devices to setup their underlay multicast tunnels. The proxy may comprise two components: i) a proxy for reports (e.g., IGMP reports); and ii) a proxy for queries (e.g., IGMP Queries).