MPLS Ring Traffic Rerouting via Protection Domain Labels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for protecting MPLS traffic in ring networks are inefficient, leading to traffic delays and bandwidth bottlenecks, especially in case of multiple faults, as they require traffic to traverse excessive portions of the main and protection paths before reaching the egress node.
Innovation Solution
A method that redirects MPLS traffic in ring networks by applying an additional label to packets at the edge node of a faulty section, allowing them to exit the protection path at their respective egress nodes, thereby reducing travel distance and improving rerouting efficiency by checking for the additional label at each node along the protection path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If MPLS traffic is protected by redirecting it through the opposite direction in a ring network using conventional methods, then fault recovery is achieved, but traffic delay increases and bandwidth efficiency decreases due to excessive portions traversed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ring network into distinct protection domains by introducing a protection domain identifier (PDI) label. Each segment can independently manage its own protection path, allowing traffic to exit at the appropriate egress node rather than traversing the entire ring. This segmentation enables precise control over protection path traversal, reducing unnecessary delays while maintaining fault recovery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a protection domain identifier (PDI) as an intermediary label that mediates the protection routing process. This PDI label acts as a marker that enables intermediate nodes to identify when traffic has traversed the necessary protection path segment and should be allowed to exit, even if it's not the traditional egress node. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by enabling early exit while maintaining proper protection semantics.
2Reliability
If MPLS traffic is protected by redirecting it through the opposite direction in a ring network, then fault recovery is achieved, but bandwidth bottlenecks occur at metro level
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the protection path into controlled domains using PDI labels, the patent enables traffic to exit the protection path at intermediate nodes rather than forcing all traffic through the complete protection loop. This reduces the total bandwidth consumed by protection traffic and eliminates bottlenecks at distant egress nodes, while still providing reliable fault recovery for the affected segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality control by allowing different segments of the ring to have different protection behaviors based on local fault conditions. Each segment can independently determine when its protected traffic should exit the protection path, optimizing bandwidth usage locally rather than imposing a uniform protection scheme across the entire ring. This local control reduces overall bandwidth consumption while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If conventional protection methods are used in ring networks, then fault protection is provided, but the solution is critical to multiple faults and inefficient in bandwidth utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ring network into multiple independent protection domains, each managed by its own PDI label. This segmentation allows each domain to independently handle faults without being affected by faults in other domains, providing adaptability to multiple simultaneous faults. Each segment can optimize its bandwidth usage independently, improving overall efficiency while maintaining comprehensive fault protection.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is described for fast rerouting, in case of a fault, packets of MPLS traffic in a ring-like network configuration, where the MPLS traffic is formed by one or more Label Switched Paths (LSPs) entitled to protection. The method comprises rerouting the MPLS packets to a protection path in the ring, providing the rerouted MPLS packets with additional labels to their respective label stacks, and then detecting the additional labels at network nodes included in the protection path. Detection of the additional labels further allows determining egress nodes of the rerouted MPLS packets and outputting the rerouted MPLS packets at their corresponding egress points from the protection path.