MPLS Label Stack Policy Encoding Without New Special Purpose Labels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing MPLS-based technologies require frequent reconfiguration of network devices to handle new special purpose labels for various forwarding policies, consuming computing and networking resources and depleting the limited quantity of special purpose labels.
Innovation Solution
A network device determines whether to apply a first or second special purpose label option for an MPLS packet, encoding forwarding policies by using a policy data indicator and policy data as regular labels or ending the label stack with policy data, allowing the label stack to continue or terminate with policy data, thus conserving resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If new special purpose labels are created for each MPLS-based feature, then forwarding policies can be implemented, but network devices require frequent reconfiguration consuming computing and networking resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a single special purpose label (SPL) that can represent multiple different forwarding policies through different policy data indicators and policy data values. Instead of creating separate labels for each policy type, the system uses one SPL label that can be configured to implement various policies (traffic engineering, security, quality of service) by changing the associated policy data, thereby eliminating the need for frequent label creation and device reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the policy data associated with the special purpose label rather than creating new labels. The system changes parameters such as policy data indicator values and policy data content to represent different forwarding policies. This allows the same label to be reused with different policy configurations, reducing the need for label depletion and device reconfiguration when new policies are introduced.
2Adaptability or versatility
If special purpose labels are used for each forwarding policy, then policy implementation is enabled, but the limited quantity of special purpose labels is depleted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality where a single special purpose label can serve multiple forwarding policy functions. By associating different policy data indicators and policy data with the same SPL label, the system enables one label to represent multiple policies (e.g., different traffic engineering requirements, security rules, or quality of service parameters), thereby avoiding the depletion of the limited special purpose label pool.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the policy data associated with the special purpose label changeable and adaptable. Rather than having static one-to-one mapping between labels and policies, the system allows dynamic reconfiguration of policy data for the same label. This enables the limited special purpose labels to be reused across different policy implementations, maintaining label availability without sacrificing policy versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If frequent reconfiguration is performed to handle new labels, then new forwarding policies can be added, but computing and networking resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying existing policy data rather than creating new labels when introducing forwarding policies. The system changes parameters such as policy data indicator values, policy data content, or label stack configurations for existing special purpose labels. This approach avoids the resource-intensive process of label allocation, device reconfiguration, and protocol updates that would otherwise be required, thereby reducing computing and networking resource consumption while still enabling new policy implementations.
Data Source
AI summary
A network device may receive an MPLS packet destined for a destination via a label-switched path (LSP), and may determine whether to apply a first special purpose label (SPL) option or a second SPL option for a label stack of the MPLS packet. The network device may apply, when the first SPL option is determined to be applied, one of a first type of the first SPL option for the label stack via a policy data indicator (PDI) and policy data (PD), or a second type of the first SPL option for the label stack via the PDI and the PD. The network device may forward the MPLS packet to a hop of the LSP based on the first type of the first SPL option or the second type of the first SPL option applied to the MPLS packet.