MPLS Backup Path Protection via Shared Multipoint-to-Multipoint Topology
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current protection mechanisms for label-switched paths in MPLS networks require significant control and memory resources to establish multiple backup paths for each primary path, especially when a node failure affects common routing nodes, leading to inefficiencies and resource consumption.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that uses a connected mode multipoint-to-multipoint backup label-switched path between neighboring nodes to protect primary paths, where a unique identifier is assigned to packets to distinguish between protected paths, allowing a single backup path to protect multiple primary paths and reducing resource duplication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple backup label-switched paths are established for each primary path to protect against node failures, then path protection reliability is improved, but control resources and memory consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple backup paths into a single shared backup path that can protect multiple primary paths. Instead of establishing separate backup paths for each primary path, the system creates one common backup path that routes packets through alternative nodes, thereby reducing the number of backup paths from multiple to one, which directly decreases control resources and memory consumption while maintaining protection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single backup path is designed to serve multiple functions by protecting multiple different primary paths against node failures. The backup path is configured to handle packets from various primary paths through different routing branches, making it a universal protection mechanism that eliminates the need for dedicated backup paths for each primary path, thus reducing overall resource consumption.
2Reliability
If separate backup paths are established for each primary path, then path protection capability is improved, but resource duplication and inefficiency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate backup paths into a single shared backup path structure. This backup path is configured with multiple branches that can serve different primary paths, thereby eliminating resource duplication. Instead of allocating separate backup path resources for each primary path, the system shares a common backup infrastructure that protects multiple paths, reducing the quantity of resources required.
3Reliability
If multiple TE-LSP backup paths are established to protect against node failures, then failure protection is improved, but CPU and memory resources at network nodes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple TE-LSP backup paths into a single shared backup path that protects multiple primary paths. This consolidation reduces the number of backup path instances that network nodes must manage, thereby decreasing CPU processing overhead and memory consumption associated with maintaining multiple separate backup path states, while still providing comprehensive failure protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The single backup path is designed as a universal protection mechanism that can handle failure scenarios for multiple primary paths. By making the backup path multi-functional, the system eliminates the need for nodes to maintain separate backup path states for each primary path, thereby reducing CPU and memory resource consumption while preserving failure protection capability.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a technique for protecting a primary path with tag switching in connected mode during a fault affecting a given node (104) of said path in a tag switching communication network. The primary path has been established from upstream nodes to downstream nodes. The protection is effected by a multipoint-to-multipoint backup tag switching path in connected mode, established between neighbouring nodes (101, 102, 105, 107, 108) of the given node. The method of initiating a protection, implemented by a neighbouring node (101) belonging to said primary and backup paths is situated upstream of the given node in the primary path, termed the protector initiator node, comprises the following steps: - a step of selecting from among the plurality of the neighbouring nodes of the given node of one or more nodes situated downstream of the given node in the primary path termed protector nodes; - a step of dispatching a protection request to one of the protector nodes selected, said protection request indicating the primary path, the backup path and an identifier of said initiator protector node to be associated by the protector nodes in the guise of tag to the packets intended to be forwarded through one of the branches of the primary path linking the given node to one of the protector nodes and forwarded through the backup path during the fault, said dispatching step being repeated for all the protector nodes selected.