mLDP LSP Setup via P2P Tunnel for Network Upgrade Cost Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Label Distribution Protocol (LDP) systems require all nodes along a path to support multipoint capability for establishing Point-to-Multipoint (P2MP) and Multipoint-to-Multipoint (MP2MP) Label Switched Paths (LSPs, making it costly and time-consuming to upgrade existing networks that include nodes without this capability.
Innovation Solution
The method involves sending notification messages to discover upstream LDP nodes with multipoint capability through point-to-point (P2P) nodes, allowing the establishment of an LDP LSP via P2P tunnels, enabling gradual network upgrades and reducing capital expenditures by allowing P2P nodes to act as bridges between multipoint-capable nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If all nodes along the path support P2MP or MP2MP capability for establishing mLDP LSP, then multipoint communication capability is achieved, but network upgrade cost and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a tunnel endpoint (TE) as an intermediary component that enables mLDP LSP establishment through P2P-capable nodes. The TE acts as a mediator between mLDP-capable nodes, allowing multipoint communication to be established by tunneling through intermediate P2P nodes that do not require full mLDP capability. This resolves the contradiction by enabling multipoint functionality without requiring all network nodes to be upgraded to support it natively.
2Adaptability or versatility
If P2P nodes are replaced by P2MP or MP2MP nodes to implement multipoint communication, then multipoint capability is achieved, but replacement time and cost become exceedingly high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of mLDP capability through the tunnel endpoint mechanism. Instead of physically replacing P2P nodes with P2MP nodes, the TE creates a virtual mLDP-capable endpoint that tunnels through the existing P2P infrastructure. This allows multipoint communication to be implemented by copying the mLDP functionality at the tunnel endpoints rather than replacing entire network nodes, dramatically reducing deployment time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If P2P nodes are replaced by P2MP or MP2MP nodes to implement multipoint communication, then multipoint capability is achieved, but replacement cost becomes exceedingly high
Solution Approach 1:
The tunnel endpoint serves as a cost-effective intermediary that enables multipoint communication without requiring expensive node replacements. The TE can be implemented in software or as a lightweight device at the edges of the network, while the core P2P nodes remain unchanged. This approach dramatically reduces capital expenditure compared to replacing all intermediate nodes with full mLDP-capable equipment.
4Reliability
If conventional mLDP systems require all nodes to support multipoint capability, then proper LSP establishment is ensured, but network flexibility and gradual deployment capability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mLDP capability requirements by separating the tunnel endpoint functions from the intermediate transit nodes. The TE endpoints maintain full mLDP capability to ensure reliable LSP establishment, while intermediate P2P nodes only need basic forwarding capability. This segmentation allows gradual deployment where only the endpoint nodes require mLDP support, enabling phased network upgrades without requiring simultaneous upgrades of all nodes.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprising a processor configured to send a first notification message to a first label switch router (LSR) to discover the upstream multipoint Label Distribution Protocol (mLDP) LSR, wherein the apparatus is configured to couple to the first LSR, and wherein the first LSR is not an mLDP LSR, receive a second notification message from the upstream mLDP node, and in response to receiving the second notification message, establish an mLDP Label Switch Path (LSP) to the upstream mLDP node via the first LSR.