Link State Protocol Feedback for Explicit Path Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current link state protocols for packet-switched communication networks lack a feedback mechanism for network nodes to determine the successful configuration of explicit paths, leading to increased costs and administrative burdens due to the requirement of additional protocols like RSVP-TE and PCEP, which rely on IP and TCP and necessitate auxiliary IP networks.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism where a requesting network node sends a configuration descriptor through link state messages, and receiving nodes report the results of configuration actions, allowing the requesting node to determine if the configuration is successful, eliminating the need for external signaling protocols by using link state protocol flooding for feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional signaling protocols like RSVP-TE and PCEP are used to determine configuration success, then the ability to determine configuration completion is improved, but device complexity and operational burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the configuration request and configuration result notification into a single link state message type. The configuration result code is embedded within the existing link state advertisement structure, eliminating the need for separate signaling protocols like RSVP-TE or PCEP. This merging approach allows network nodes to determine configuration completion using only the native link state protocol, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Loss of information
If additional signaling protocols are deployed, then configuration feedback capability is improved, but capital and operational expenditures increase
Solution Approach 1:
The link state message is designed to serve multiple functions: it carries topology information, configuration requests, and configuration results all in a single message structure. The configuration result code field within the link state advertisement enables the message to convey both the request for configuration and the outcome of that configuration, eliminating the need for dedicated feedback channels or additional signaling infrastructure, thereby reducing capital and operational expenditures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If RSVP-TE protocol is used for path configuration, then explicit path configuration capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to auxiliary IP network requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the configuration feedback functionality from the RSVP-TE signaling protocol and implements it directly within the link state protocol framework. By removing the dependency on auxiliary IP networks and TCP-based protocols, the solution maintains explicit path configuration capability while significantly simplifying network provisioning. Network operators can configure explicit paths using only the existing link state protocol infrastructure, eliminating the operational complexity of managing multiple protocol stacks and auxiliary networks.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one example embodiment, a network node initiates a desired configuration of a switching network by sending a link state message containing a configuration descriptor specifying the desired configuration and a predetermined type value. The configuration descriptor may describe an explicit path for routing data traffic through the switching network. The explicit path may comprise strict hops or a combination of strict hops and loose hops. The configuration message is propagated through the network by flooding. Each network node receiving the configuration message is instructed to take appropriate action to implement the specified configuration and send a result report indicating a result of the configuration action. The result report may be included in a link state message and propagated by flooding so that all network nodes are able to determine whether the configuration was successfully completed based upon the result reports send from the network nodes.