MPLS LSP Spanning Tree Resource Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for implementing Layer-2 VPN services using MPLS LSPs are inefficient, leading to high network costs and resource wastage due to the need for a large number of bi-directional connections, which does not scale well as the number of nodes increases.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a spanning tree program to establish and manage MPLS LSP connections between Bridging Modules (BM) in a Layer-2 VPN, where inactive LSPs are de-allocated to reassign resources to active LSPs, maintaining only enough bandwidth for control signals, thereby optimizing network resource usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large number of bi-directional MPLS LSP connections are established between all BMs to ensure reliable Layer-2 VPN service, then network reliability is improved, but network cost and resource consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the full mesh of bi-directional LSP connections into unidirectional LSP connections organized in a spanning tree structure. Instead of establishing N*(N-1)/2 bi-directional connections between N BMs, the system uses N-1 unidirectional LSP connections arranged in a tree topology, where each connection serves a specific parent-child relationship in the spanning tree, thereby reducing redundancy while maintaining connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where LSP connections can be activated or deactivated based on spanning tree protocol state changes. When link costs or network topology change, the spanning tree protocol dynamically recalculates the optimal tree structure, activating only the necessary LSP connections and deactivating others, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions while minimizing active connections.
2Reliability
If multiple bi-directional LSP connections are maintained between BMs for redundancy and reliability, then service reliability is improved, but resource wastage increases due to inactive connections retaining allocated resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes resources from inactive LSP connections. The resource deallocation module specifically identifies inactive connections and deallocates their associated resources (bandwidth, buffer, processing capacity) back to the resource pool, ensuring that only actively used connections consume network resources. This separates the logical connection structure from resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the resource allocation parameter from a static model where all established connections retain resources to a dynamic model where resource allocation follows connection activity status. The system monitors the active/inactive state of each LSP connection and adjusts resource allocation accordingly, changing the parameter of resource consumption from fixed to variable based on actual usage.
3Reliability
If a full mesh of bi-directional connections is established between all BMs, then connectivity and reliability are improved, but device complexity and management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple bi-directional connection management tasks into a single unidirectional spanning tree structure. Instead of managing N*(N-1)/2 separate bi-directional connections, the system manages N-1 unidirectional LSP connections in a tree topology, where the root BM manages the entire structure and child BMs follow the hierarchical structure, significantly reducing management complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the spanning tree protocol serve multiple functions simultaneously: it establishes the logical topology, determines active/inactive connection states, guides resource allocation, and enables dynamic adaptation to topology changes. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate management systems for each of these tasks, reducing overall system complexity.
4Stability of the object's composition
If resources are allocated to all established LSP connections regardless of activity status, then connection stability is maintained, but network throughput efficiency decreases due to resource underutilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation that adjusts resource distribution based on actual connection activity. Active LSP connections receive full resource allocation to maximize throughput, while inactive connections have resources deallocated. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain stability for active connections while optimizing overall network throughput by eliminating resource underutilization on inactive paths.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for forwarding packets over Label Switched Paths (LSPs) in a Virtual Private Network (VPN) are implemented within a Layer-2 architecture. A system includes a number of multi-purpose nodes connected by a number of multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) LSP links. Each multi-purpose node contains at least one bridging module (BM) that runs an extension of a bridging protocol (BP) contained in the IEEE 802.1d standard. The BP is used to establish MPLS LSPs between the BMs. The BP then generates a spanning tree using a spanning tree program to establish an optimal number of active LSPs. The remaining LSPs are then set to “inactive” The BM de-allocates the resources assigned to inactive LSPs and makes the resources available to other active LSPs.