L2VPN Broadcast Domain via VBD ID for PE Bandwidth Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing L2VPN technologies face inefficiencies in configuring Provider Edge (PE) connections due to the inability to reuse Pseudo Wires (PWs) across multiple Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in point-to-point service models, leading to high overhead and unnecessary packet duplication in multipoint-to-multipoint service models, which wastes internal channel bandwidth.

Innovation Solution

The method and device establish a broadcast domain using Virtual Broadcast Domain (VBD) IDs to identify and manage packet exits, allowing for encapsulation or de-encapsulation based on VBD rules, thereby reducing the need for additional PW configurations and minimizing bandwidth waste by distinguishing new VBD domains through VBD IDs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a new PW is added for each VPN in point-to-point service model, then communication between different VPNs is enabled, but configuration overhead and workload of PE increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability to support multiple VPNsVSAvoidconfiguration overhead of PE
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables a single PW to serve multiple VPNs by introducing the VBD concept. The PE device can perform both VPWS (point-to-point) and VPLS (multipoint-to-multipoint) services through the same PW by dynamically switching service modes based on VBD configuration, eliminating the need to create separate PWs for each VPN and reducing configuration overhead

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the broadcast domain by introducing VBD (Virtual Broadcast Domain) as a logical division within the PW. This allows the same physical PW to be divided into multiple virtual broadcast domains, each serving different VPNs, thereby enabling PW reuse while maintaining VPN isolation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If VPLS performs packet duplication for all PWs and ACs, then broadcast packets can be sent to all destinations, but internal channel bandwidth of PE is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebroadcast capability to all destinationsVSAvoidinternal channel bandwidth waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different broadcast domains (VBDs) to have different forwarding behaviors. The PE device determines whether to duplicate and forward broadcast packets based on the specific VBD configuration and destination requirements, rather than uniformly duplicating to all PWs and ACs. This selective forwarding reduces unnecessary bandwidth consumption while maintaining broadcast capability where needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2897328B1Method, system and apparatus for establishing communication link
Publication Date: 2017.01.25 ZTE CORP
  • EP2897328B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2897328B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Disclosed is a method for establishing broadcasting domain in a Layer 2 Virtual Private Network (L2VPN). The method comprises the following steps: when packets are received from Attachment Circuit (AC), Virtual Bridge Domain (VBD) Index (ID) of packets is found out according to AC attribute table. If the exit cannot be acquired from a forwarding table according to VBD ID and destination Media Access Control (MAC) address of packets, then the packets will be encapsulated based on the encapsulation principle and sent out of the VBD exit acquired from VBD table by VBD ID. When packets are received from Pseudo Wire (PW), if the exit cannot be acquired from the forwarding table according to VBD ID and destination MAC of packets, then the packets will be de-capsulated based on the de-encapsulation principle and sent out of the VBD exit acquired from VBD table by VBD ID. An apparatus for establishing broadcasting domain of L2VPN is also disclosed. The present invention enables reduce the quality of configuring PW and save the internal bandwidth of Provider Edge (PE).