MEP SOAM Frame Encapsulation for Multi-Domain MEG Level Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-domain networks, service providers face challenges in managing overlapping Maintenance Entity Group (MEG) levels when end-to-end services traverse multiple operator networks, leading to MEG level conflicts and a lack of flexibility in service offerings due to predefined default SOAM levels.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves configuring Maintenance Entity Group End Points (MEPs) to encapsulate and forward Service Operation Administration Maintenance (SOAM) frames within the same Maintenance Entity Group, allowing for MEG level flexibility by adding a header with a MEL data field to distinguish different MEG levels, enabling SOAM frames to traverse subnetwork segments regardless of existing MEG levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If predefined default SOAM levels are used in multi-domain networks, then service deployment is simplified, but MEG level conflicts occur when services traverse multiple operator networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the MEG level dynamic by allowing it to be extracted from the SOAM frame header and compared with the local MEG level. This enables the system to adaptively determine whether to forward or drop frames based on level conflicts, resolving the contradiction between simplified deployment and conflict avoidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter handling by extracting the MEG level parameter from the SOAM frame and comparing it with the local MEG level. This parameter comparison mechanism enables automatic detection and resolution of MEG level conflicts while maintaining default SOAM level usage.
2Ease of operation
If MEG levels are fixed for each subnetwork, then management within each domain is simplified, but flexibility in service offerings across multiple operators is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic MEG level handling by extracting and comparing MEG levels from passing frames. This allows each domain to maintain its fixed management structure while dynamically adapting to frames from other domains, thereby enabling flexible multi-operator service offerings without compromising domain management simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the MEG level parameter as an intermediary to mediate between fixed domain management and flexible service offerings. By comparing the extracted MEG level with the local MEG level, the system can determine frame forwarding behavior, enabling versatile service offerings while maintaining simple domain management.
3Productivity
If SOAM frames are forwarded across all subnetworks without level checking, then service traversal is maximized, but MEG level conflicts cause service degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by extracting and comparing the MEG level from the SOAM frame header before forwarding the frame. This pre-check mechanism ensures that frames with conflicting MEG levels are identified and handled appropriately, preventing service degradation while maintaining efficient traversal for compatible frames.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the MEG level comparison result to determine frame forwarding behavior. When the extracted MEG level matches the local MEG level, frames are forwarded; when they conflict, frames are dropped. This feedback mechanism ensures service quality while maintaining traversal efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
A Maintenance Entity Group, MEG, End Point, MEP, of a subnetwork within a multi-domain network, said MEP comprising an encapsulation unit configured to encapsulate SOAM frames received by a passive Service Access Point, SAP, of the MEP and a decapsulation unit configured to decapsulate encapsulated SOAM frames received by an active Service Access Point, SAP, of the MEP.