MAC Ethernet Switch for MPLS Network Simplification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packet networks often require packet modification and complex control protocols for managing data paths, which can lead to increased hardware costs and complexity, particularly in MPLS networks where packet flow alterations are common.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a Media Access Control (MAC) Ethernet switch that automatically learns and stores router MAC and IP addresses from data packets, allowing for the configuration of transport capacity and network reconfiguration without modifying data plane packets, thereby reducing the need for MPLS Label Switch Routers and utilizing Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) or other means for address binding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If packet modification and complex control protocols are used to manage data paths in MPLS networks, then data routing flexibility is improved, but hardware costs and network complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network control function by introducing a separate control plane that uses RSVP-TE protocols, distinct from the data plane that uses standard MPLS labeling. This allows the data plane to remain simple while the control plane handles the complexity of resource reservation and path management, resolving the contradiction between routing flexibility and network simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces RSVP-TE as an intermediary control protocol that mediates between the data plane packets and the network resources. This intermediary layer manages the complex interactions for bandwidth reservation and path setup without requiring modification of the actual data packets, thus maintaining data plane simplicity while achieving flexible routing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If MPLS Label Switch Routers are deployed to manage packet flow, then traffic engineering capability is improved, but hardware costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables standard MPLS routers to perform traffic engineering functions by implementing RSVP-TE software modules on existing hardware platforms. This multi-functionality approach allows a single router type to handle both standard MPLS forwarding and traffic-engineered flows, eliminating the need for specialized hardware and reducing overall hardware costs while maintaining traffic engineering capabilities.
3Productivity
If data plane packets are modified for MPLS labeling, then packet switching efficiency is improved, but packet integrity and compatibility are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions in the control plane by using RSVP-TE to pre-establish resource reservations and path setups before data packets arrive. This allows the data plane to simply forward packets with standard MPLS labels without complex real-time modifications, maintaining both switching efficiency and packet integrity by separating the complex setup phase from the simple forwarding phase.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to implementing a router Media Access Control (MAC) Ethernet switch in a network. An Ethernet-over-Dense Wave Division Multiplexing (DWDM) packet switch system includes a transport switching element communicatively coupled to one or more routers in a client layer and communicatively coupled via a photonic switching layer with a plurality of transport switching elements forming a transport layer; wherein the transport switching element is configured to flood addresses, in the transport layer, associated with the one or more routers to disseminate learned end-point addresses of the one or more routers so that service-based addressing is resolved by the transport layer. The addresses from the client layer are flooded in the control plane which is a lower layer control plane relative to the client layer to allow the transport switching element and the plurality of transport switching elements to use of the addresses.