L2TP Access Concentrator Multicast Tunnel Setup
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) setup process involves sequential attempts to establish a tunnel with multiple L2TP network servers (LNSs), leading to delays, resource wastage, and increased configuration complexity, as each LNS requires separate tunnel profiles and configuration.
Innovation Solution
A method where a Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol Access Concentrator (LAC) simultaneously attempts to set up L2TP tunnels with multiple LNSs by multicasting a setup request, allowing selection of the most suitable LNS based on responses received, reducing delays and resource consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If sequential attempts are used to establish L2TP tunnels with multiple LNSs, then configuration complexity increases due to separate tunnel profiles required for each LNS, but reliability is maintained through individual connection attempts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple LNS addresses into a single multicast address, allowing the LAC to send one tunnel establishment request to reach multiple LNSs simultaneously. This merging approach reduces the number of separate tunnel profiles needed from multiple individual profiles to a single multicast profile, directly reducing configuration complexity while maintaining the ability to establish reliable connections through the multicast response mechanism
2Device complexity
If sequential tunnel establishment attempts are made with multiple LNSs, then configuration overhead increases due to separate tunnel profiles, but systematic connection management is achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-configuring a multicast address that represents multiple LNSs before tunnel establishment attempts. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need to individually configure each LNS tunnel profile beforehand, reducing configuration overhead. The actual tunnel selection and establishment then proceed efficiently through automated multicast communication and response evaluation
3Loss of time
If simultaneous multicast requests are sent to multiple LNSs, then tunnel setup delay is reduced, but resource consumption increases due to handling multiple responses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having each LNS respond to the multicast tunnel establishment request with its own response message. The LAC evaluates these feedback responses to select the most suitable LNS for tunnel establishment. This feedback mechanism allows simultaneous requests to multiple LNSs while efficiently managing resource consumption through automated response evaluation and selection, reducing overall tunnel setup delay
Data Source
AI summary
A layer 2 tunneling protocol access concentrator (LAC) may receive an indication to set up a layer 2 tunneling protocol (L2TP) tunnel. The LAC may determine, based on the indication, a multicast address associated with initiating setup of the L2TP tunnel. The LAC may provide, to the multicast address, a request associated with initiating the L2TP tunnel. The request may be provided such that a plurality of L2TP network servers (LNSs) receives the request. The LAC may receive a set of responses to the request. The set of responses may be provided by a respective set of LNSs. The plurality of LNSs may include the respective set of LNSs. The LAC may select, based on the set of responses, a particular LNS, of the respective set of LNSs, with which to set up the L2TP tunnel.