LSP Hierarchy via Colored Link Boundaries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Deploying a Label Switched Path (LSP) hierarchy in Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) networks requires upgrading all routers to support Generalized MPLS (GMPLS), which is costly and time-consuming, as existing MPLS networks do not support the necessary GMPLS signaling and routing extensions.
Innovation Solution
The method involves defining regions within an MPLS network by coloring links and using these color boundaries to create a Forwarding Adjacency Label Switched Path (FA-LSP) that can be advertised as a Traffic Engineering (TE) link, allowing nesting of RSVP LSPs without the need for GMPLS upgrades, by dynamically creating FA-LSPs based on link colors and regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If LSP hierarchy is deployed in MPLS network using GMPLS signaling, then nesting of RSVP LSPs and scaling is improved, but device complexity and upgrade cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a boundary router as an intermediary component that implements GMPLS signaling functionality. This boundary router acts as a mediator between the core MPLS network and the LSP hierarchy structure, enabling RSVP LSP nesting without requiring upgrades to all core routers. The boundary router translates and handles GMPLS signaling messages, allowing LSP hierarchy deployment at the network edge while maintaining compatibility with existing MPLS core infrastructure.
2Quantity of substance
If LSP hierarchy is deployed across entire network, then control plane state reduction is improved, but deployment time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into different functional zones: core MPLS network and edge LSP hierarchy network. By dividing the network deployment into these segments, the LSP hierarchy and associated control plane state reduction benefits are implemented only in the edge network where they are most needed, while the core network maintains its existing simpler MPLS structure. This segmentation allows partial deployment that achieves control plane optimization without requiring network-wide changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements LSP hierarchy deployment partially, only at the network edge through boundary routers, rather than excessively deploying it across the entire network including the core. This partial action approach achieves the primary goal of reducing control plane state in the edge network while avoiding the time-consuming and costly task of upgrading all core routers, thus achieving sufficient optimization without excessive deployment effort.
Data Source
AI summary
A system may define a first region that includes a first colored link of a multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) network, and may define a second region that includes a second colored link of the MPLS network. The system may define a boundary between the first and second regions based on the first colored link and the second colored link.