MPLS Payload Type Indication Label for QoS Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
In typical Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) networks, intermediate nodes lack visibility into the payload being carried, making it difficult to provide Quality of Service (QoS) and requiring separate pseudo-wire service labels for different payload types, which increases control protocol burden and signaling overhead.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a Payload Type Indication Label (PTIL) and Payload Type Header (PTH) allows intermediate routers to identify and parse payload types, enabling deep packet inspection and improved QoS, while using a single pseudo-wire service to transport multiple payload types by indicating the payload type and service instance through the PTH.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate pseudo-wire service labels are used for each payload type, then payload identification and QoS are improved, but control protocol burden and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the payload type identification function by extracting it from the pseudo-wire service label and placing it in a separate PTH (Payload Type Header) structure. This allows the pseudo-wire service label to remain simple while payload type information is carried in the PTH, reducing the complexity of the control protocol and signaling overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The PTH acts as an intermediary structure between the pseudo-wire service label and the actual payload. It carries the payload type indication and service instance information separately, allowing intermediate nodes to identify payload types without requiring complex pseudo-wire service labels, thus reducing control protocol burden.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pseudo-wire service labels are used for different payload types, then payload type differentiation is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal PTH structure that can carry payload type information for multiple different payload types (ATM, Ethernet, PPP, Frame Relay) using a single standardized format. This eliminates the need for separate pseudo-wire service labels for each payload type, reducing signaling overhead while maintaining the ability to differentiate between payload types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter representation by using a standardized PTH structure with specific fields (payload type indication, service instance) that can represent different payload types through parameter values rather than requiring different label structures. This reduces the signaling overhead associated with creating and managing multiple pseudo-wire service labels.
3Productivity
If intermediate nodes lack payload visibility, then packet processing simplicity is maintained, but QoS and deep packet inspection capabilities are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by placing payload type information in the PTH structure before the packet reaches intermediate nodes. This allows intermediate nodes to quickly identify payload types and perform QoS processing without needing to parse the entire payload, maintaining processing efficiency while enabling QoS capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of having intermediate nodes parse entire payloads to identify types with a more efficient system where payload type information is pre-encoded in the PTH. This substitution allows intermediate nodes to quickly retrieve payload type information without deep packet inspection, improving QoS capability while maintaining processing efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for packet transmission over an MPLS tunnel may include a plurality of network devices. The network devices may include ingress and egress routers and intermediate routers. The system may be configured to use payload type indication labels and payload type headers to transmit packets from a plurality of user devices having different payload types and service instances over a single pseudo-wire service in a label switched path of the MPLS network.