MPLS Data Path Retention During Control Plane Failures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional protection schemes in MPLS networks treat control plane failures equivalently to data plane failures, leading to unnecessary traffic outages and resource consumption, especially for unprotected static tunnels and sticky co-routed tunnels, where maintaining the original path is critical.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method that switches the MPLS service to an Ethernet Line (ELINE) service on the same data path during control plane failures, utilizing Connectivity Fault Management (CFM) and Virtual Link Loss Indication (VLLI) to detect and manage failures, allowing the service to revert back to MPLS once the control plane recovers, thus retaining the data path without additional network resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional protection schemes are used to protect against control plane failures, then traffic can be rerouted via alternate paths, but additional network resources are consumed and traffic outages occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraffic protection during control plane failureVSAvoidnetwork resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-configures the ELINE service on the same data path as the MPLS service before any failure occurs. This preliminary setup allows immediate switching to the pre-configured service when control plane failure is detected, avoiding the need to establish alternative routes and consuming no additional network resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The ELINE service is configured to operate on the same data path as the MPLS service, making it a universal backup that can serve multiple purposes: protecting against control plane failures while maintaining the original path, and potentially serving as a fallback for data plane failures as well.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If conventional protection schemes are used to protect against control plane failures, then traffic can be rerouted via alternate paths, but traffic outages occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraffic protection during control plane failureVSAvoidtraffic outage duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The ELINE service is pre-configured and ready to activate immediately upon control plane failure detection. This eliminates the time required to establish alternative routes, reducing traffic outage duration to minimal service switching time only.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between MPLS and ELINE services based on control plane status. The ELINE service remains in standby mode during normal operation and activates instantly when needed, providing adaptive protection without permanent resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If alternative routes are used to protect against control plane failures, then traffic can be maintained, but the original path cannot be retained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraffic protection during control plane failureVSAvoidpath retention capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The ELINE service is pre-configured on the same original data path as the MPLS service. This preliminary configuration on the identical path allows the system to maintain path consistency while providing protection, satisfying requirements for unprotected static tunnels and sticky co-routed tunnels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If additional network paths are allocated for protection, then control plane failure protection is achieved, but network resources are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol plane failure protectionVSAvoidnetwork resources

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The ELINE service shares the same data path infrastructure as the MPLS service, making the physical network resources universal. The same fibers, switches, and routers carry both MPLS and ELINE traffic, eliminating the need for dedicated backup resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The ELINE service is pre-configured on the existing data path without requiring additional network resources. This preliminary setup utilizes available infrastructure capacity, providing protection without increasing network resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11121964B2Data path retention during control plane failures in a multiprotocol label switching network

Publication Date: 2021.09.14 CIENA CORP

AI summary

Systems and methods for data path retention during control plane failures in a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network include, in a network element, operating an MPLS service on a data path in the MPLS network in an initial stage with both a control plane and a data plane operating normally; responsive to a failure affecting only the control plane, switching the MPLS service to an Ethernet Line (ELINE) service which is configured on the data path; and, responsive to a recovery of the control plane, switching the ELINE service back to the MPLS service.