Metro Transport Network Fast Path Content Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current metropolitan transport networks face inefficiencies in delivering content directly to subscribers, as they rely on Internet Service Providers (ISPs) for authentication and routing, leading to potential delays and reduced subscriber experience.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an Ethernet Virtual Private Network (EVPN) within the metro transport network, which includes peering provider edge routers to advertise network address reachability information, allowing content data networks to directly deliver content to subscribers, bypassing ISP networks while maintaining ISP ownership of IP services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If content delivery follows the traditional path through ISP networks, then ISP control and authentication services are maintained, but delivery speed and subscriber experience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The network path is segmented into two distinct paths: the traditional L2 switching path through ISPs for authentication and control, and a new fast path through EVPN for direct content delivery. This segmentation allows content traffic to bypass ISP networks while maintaining ISP services, resolving the contradiction between speed and control.
Solution Approach 2:
EVPN is introduced as an intermediary network layer that enables direct content delivery between content networks and subscribers. The EVPN infrastructure acts as a mediator that facilitates fast path delivery while maintaining compatibility with existing ISP authentication and control mechanisms.
2Productivity
If content networks directly peer with metro transport networks, then delivery efficiency improves, but network architecture complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The EVPN architecture provides multi-functionality by simultaneously supporting traditional L2 switching operations and new fast path content delivery. This universal platform handles both authentication traffic through ISPs and direct content delivery, eliminating the need for separate specialized infrastructure and reducing overall architectural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds a new dimensional layer (EVPN overlay network) on top of the existing metro transport network infrastructure. This dimensional addition enables fast path delivery without fundamentally restructuring the underlying network, allowing content networks to peer efficiently while maintaining compatibility with existing architectures.
3Reliability
If all traffic flows through ISPs, then authentication and accounting services are ensured, but network latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different quality characteristics are applied to different traffic types: authentication and control traffic maintains its path through ISPs to ensure reliability, while content delivery traffic is routed through the fast path EVPN to minimize latency. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between reliability and speed.
Solution Approach 2:
Authentication and authorization are performed in advance by ISPs before content delivery begins. Once authentication is complete, content traffic can flow directly through EVPN without requiring real-time ISP involvement, eliminating ongoing latency while maintaining authentication reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques are described that allow fast path delivery of content from content data networks directly to metro transport networks so as to bypass Internet service provider (ISP) networks. The metro transport network is positioned between subscriber devices and an Internet service provider network that authenticates the subscriber devices and allocates respective layer three (L3) addresses from an Internet Protocol (IP) network address prefix assigned to the Internet service provider network. Routes within the metro transport network, including an access router, ISP-facing provider edge routers and one or more peering routers, establish an EVPN within the metro transport network. The access router outputs, within the EVPN and to the peering router, an EVPN route advertisement that advertises network address reachability information of the subscriber devices (e.g., the IP network address prefix or MAC / IP address of the subscriber devices) on behalf of the Internet service provider network.