Provider Edge Device LAG Maintain Status for Link Teardown Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Ethernet virtual private networks (EVPN) and virtual extensible local area networks (VXLAN), the cessation of link aggregation control protocol data units (LACPDUs from customer edge devices during provisioning or updating processes leads to the teardown of links, disrupting connectivity and requiring manual, resource-intensive configurations that are prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A provider edge device associated with a link aggregation group (LAG) determines when it and other provider edge devices are not receiving LACPDUs, causing the set of links to have a 'maintain LAG' status, allowing them to be kept up and preventing teardown, and subsequently routes packets to or from the consumer edge device, automatically managing the links to facilitate provisioning or updating without manual configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual configuration is used to maintain links during provisioning or updating, then connectivity can be preserved, but resource consumption increases and human error is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables provider edge devices to automatically detect and maintain LAG status during customer edge device provisioning or updating without requiring manual configuration. The device monitors LACPDU reception and autonomously transitions to maintain LAG status when LACPDUs are not received, preserving connectivity while eliminating manual intervention.
2Measurement precision
If LACP monitoring is continuously performed, then link status can be accurately detected, but computing resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs LACP monitoring at periodic intervals by checking for LACPDU reception at defined time intervals. The provider edge device transitions to maintain LAG status after a threshold number of consecutive LACPDU reception failures, reducing continuous monitoring overhead while maintaining accurate link status detection.
3Productivity
If automatic maintain LAG status is implemented, then provisioning or updating can proceed without manual configuration, but the risk of traffic blackholing or packet data loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors LACPDU reception status and dynamically adjusts LAG maintenance based on feedback. When LACPDUs are not received, the device transitions to maintain LAG status to preserve connectivity. When LACPDUs are received again, the device transitions back to normal LACP operation, preventing traffic blackholing while enabling automatic provisioning.
Data Source
AI summary
In some implementations, a provider edge device associated with a link aggregation group (LAG) may maintain, according to a link aggregation control protocol (LACP), a set of links that connect the PE device to a consumer edge device. The provider edge device may determine that the provider edge device and another provider edge device associated with the LAG are not receiving link aggregation control protocol data units (LACPDUs) from the consumer edge device. The provider edge device may cause the set of links to have a maintain LAG status, which causes the provider edge device to keep up the set of links and to cease maintaining the set of links according to the LACP. The provider edge device may route, based on causing the set of links to have the maintain LAG status, one or more packets to or from the consumer edge device via the set of links.