MPLS Ring Protection Switching with Shared Label Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
MPLS networks face challenges in minimizing disruption during link or node failures, as existing protection switching mechanisms may cause delays and inefficiencies in rerouting packets, especially in ring topologies with shared protection label switch paths.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method that assigns unique merge labels and protection labels to working label switch paths, allowing for efficient packet forwarding and rerouting by swapping or popping labels, thereby minimizing disruption and facilitating quick recovery from failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If protection switching mechanisms are implemented in MPLS networks, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-establishes protection label switch paths and assigns protection labels in advance before failures occur. When a failure is detected, the system can immediately switch to the pre-configured protection path without performing complex real-time route calculations, thus improving reliability while managing device complexity through prior preparation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network into working label switch paths and protection label switch paths, with distinct label assignments for each. This segmentation allows independent management and switching between working and protection paths, improving reliability through redundancy while keeping the switching mechanism manageable through structured organization
2Loss of time
If rapid packet rerouting is implemented during failures, then loss of time is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures protection paths and assigns protection labels beforehand, enabling immediate packet rerouting when failures occur. This eliminates the need for complex real-time route calculations during failures, achieving rapid recovery (reducing loss of time) while keeping the rerouting mechanism relatively simple through advance preparation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces protection labels as intermediary elements that facilitate rapid switching. These labels act as pre-established instructions that guide packets along protection paths without requiring complex real-time decision-making at each node, thus reducing recovery time while managing device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Protection switching in a multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) ring network with a protection label switch path that is shared by multiple working label switch paths may include receiving a packet intended for transmission towards a disconnected adjacent node on a working label switch path, and adding, to the received packet, a protection label and a merge label. The merge label may uniquely identify the working label switch path on which the packet is received. The packet may be transmitted on the protection label switch path.