IP Map and Encap Overlay for MPLS VPN Global Reach
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional MPLS VPN services face limitations in providing global, end-to-end connectivity due to inconsistencies in services like address family, QoS, multicast, and SLA, as well as increased complexity and cost, especially when partnering with local or regional SPs for network expansion, leading to restricted service offerings and operational challenges.
Innovation Solution
An IP Map and Encap system is introduced as an overlay within existing MPLS VPN infrastructure, utilizing advanced SDN and IP overlay technologies to provide virtual end-to-end global connectivity without physically extending the primary SP's infrastructure, allowing for consistent service delivery and reduced operational complexity by encapsulating traffic over partner SP networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If MPLS VPN services are extended globally by partnering with local or regional SPs, then network reach is improved, but service consistency and operational complexity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway device as an intermediary between the primary SP's MPLS VPN network and partner SP networks. This gateway performs protocol translation, encapsulation, and service mapping functions, acting as a mediator that enables global network reach while shielding the core MPLS VPN infrastructure from the complexity of multiple partner network interconnections and service inconsistencies
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the VPN service delivery into distinct functional components: the core MPLS VPN network, gateway devices at network boundaries, and partner SP networks. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently with standardized interfaces, reducing operational complexity while maintaining global reach
2Length of stationary object
If MPLS VPN services are extended globally by partnering with local or regional SPs, then network reach is improved, but service consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements service homogenization through the gateway device, which translates and normalizes services from diverse partner SP networks into consistent MPLS VPN service formats. This ensures uniform service delivery (address family, QoS, multicast, SLA) across all global network locations, maintaining reliability while extending reach
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device serves as a mediating layer that enforces service consistency by translating partner SP network services into standardized MPLS VPN formats, ensuring that all global network locations receive homogeneous service quality regardless of underlying network differences
3Length of stationary object
If physical infrastructure is extended to provide global connectivity, then network reach is improved, but cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of physically extending the primary SP's MPLS VPN infrastructure to global locations, the patent uses gateway devices that create virtual copies of MPLS VPN services over partner SP networks. This copying approach achieves global network reach without the cost and complexity of physical infrastructure deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device acts as an intermediary that enables virtual infrastructure extension by translating and encapsulating traffic between the primary SP's MPLS VPN network and partner SP networks, allowing global reach without physical infrastructure extension
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving from a plurality of customer edge devices, endpoint addresses at a central mapping system operating as a control plane for a provider network in communication with a plurality of customer networks, and mapping the endpoint addresses to provider edge devices in the provider network. Wherein the customer edge devices store customer endpoint routes for active flows and the provider edge devices store customer edge device site locator addresses for use in a mapping and encapsulation overlay in the provider network. An apparatus and logic are also disclosed herein.