MPLS Header Multi-Diversion Identifier Field
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network technologies are limited in carrying multi-diversion information for packet diversion between network devices, as existing standard protocols only support up to two layers of VLAN headers, which restricts the amount of information that can be carried for multiple packet diversions.
Innovation Solution
The use of Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) headers that carry multi-diversion information, including a multi-diversion identifier field, allows for more flexible and extensible packet diversion between network devices, supporting up to 7 layers of MPLS headers, enabling more information to be carried while complying with existing standard protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If VLAN headers are used to carry multi-diversion information, then packet diversion between network devices can be implemented, but the amount of information that can be carried is limited due to protocol restrictions on header layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the type of header used from VLAN to MPLS, utilizing different protocol parameters. MPLS headers support up to 7 layers according to standard protocols, compared to VLAN's limitation of 2 layers. This parameter change enables carrying more multi-diversion information (up to 84 bits with 7 layers × 12 bits per layer) while maintaining compliance with existing standard protocols.
2Loss of information
If multiple layers of VLAN headers are added to carry more multi-diversion information, then more diversion routes can be specified, but the solution becomes less flexible and extensible due to protocol limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the header protocol from VLAN to MPLS, which has different structural parameters. MPLS headers can be stacked up to 7 layers deep according to standard protocols, providing a more flexible and extensible solution for carrying multi-diversion information without violating protocol constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The MPLS header structure is designed to be multi-functional, capable of carrying various types of information including multi-diversion identifiers, traffic engineering parameters, and QoS information. This universality allows the same header structure to serve multiple purposes in network packet processing.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, an apparatus, and a system for diverting a packet multiple times between a master network device and multiple slave devices. The method includes: receiving a packet sent by a first slave device, where the packet includes an MPLS header that carries multi-diversion information, the multi-diversion information includes a multi-diversion identifier field, and the multi-diversion identifier field is used to indicate a slave device to which the packet needs to be diverted; determining, according to the multi-diversion identifier field, a second slave device to which the packet needs to be diverted; and sending the packet to the second slave device.