Layer 2.5 Control Plane for Pseudo Wire Emulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing pseudo wire (PW) emulation in network communications requires upgrading the control and data planes of layer 2 network nodes to layer 3, leading to high complexity and cost, especially in access devices and metropolitan area Ethernet networks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a network communication method that allocates pseudo wire (PW) labels and Ethernet (ETH) labels through a layer 2 label allocation protocol, allowing data communication while maintaining the nodes as layer 2 devices, thereby reducing complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If PW emulation is implemented by upgrading layer 2 network nodes to layer 3, then PW emulation capability is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a layer 2.5 control plane as an intermediary between the layer 2 data plane and layer 3 control functions. This control plane runs on existing layer 2 devices without requiring full layer 3 capability, enabling PW emulation through a hybrid architecture that leverages both layer 2 and layer 2.5 functions to avoid complete upgrade of network nodes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the PW emulation function into separate control plane and data plane components. The control plane handles PW setup and management using layer 2.5 protocols, while the data plane maintains simple layer 2 forwarding. This segmentation allows PW capabilities to be added without requiring all network nodes to upgrade to layer 3
2Adaptability or versatility
If layer 3 upgrade is performed on access devices and metropolitan area Ethernet, then PW emulation is supported, but upgrade cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring complete layer 3 upgrade of all network nodes, the patent applies partial upgrade only where needed for PW control functions. Existing layer 2 devices can participate by running layer 2.5 control plane protocols, while only specific nodes require enhanced capabilities for PW termination, reducing the overall upgrade scope and cost
3Adaptability or versatility
If control plane is upgraded to layer 3, then PW emulation capability is enabled, but scalability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The layer 2.5 control plane acts as an intermediary that provides PW emulation capabilities without requiring full layer 3 infrastructure. This hybrid control plane architecture maintains compatibility with existing layer 2 networks while enabling scalable PW deployment through standardized layer 2.5 protocols
Data Source
AI summary
A network communication method includes: allocating a pseudo wire (PW) label and/or an Ethernet (ETH) label through a layer 2 label allocation protocol; and performing data communication according to the allocated PW label and/or the allocated ETH label. According to the embodiments of the present invention, the label is allocated through the layer 2 label allocation protocol, thus maintaining the node device as a layer 2 device, meanwhile implementing label allocation, and reducing the complexity and improvement cost of network access.