MPLS TE Traffic Switching with Forwarding Entry Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing MPLS TE systems experience traffic loss during back-switching due to asynchronous delivery of forwarding entries between network nodes, affecting network availability and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that detects the complete delivery of forwarding entries on the active LSP using BFD binding, ensuring traffic is switched back only when the entries are fully delivered, preventing packet loss and enhancing network stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traffic is switched back to the active LSP immediately after fault recovery, then switching speed is improved, but packet loss occurs due to asynchronous forwarding entry delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by checking whether forwarding entries have been completely delivered to all network nodes before switching traffic back to the active LSP. The ingress node waits to confirm that all intermediate nodes have received their forwarding entries, ensuring the network is ready to handle traffic without packet loss. This pre-check mechanism prevents premature switching that would cause packet loss while maintaining relatively fast recovery.
2Reliability
If traffic is switched back to the active LSP only after confirming complete forwarding entry delivery, then packet loss is prevented, but switching speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by establishing a confirmation mechanism where the ingress node receives status information from intermediate nodes about their forwarding entry delivery status. This feedback loop allows the system to make an informed decision about when to switch traffic back - only when all nodes confirm they are ready. The feedback mechanism balances reliability with switching speed by using efficient status checking rather than unnecessary delays.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, device, and system for traffic switching in Multi-Protocol Label Switching Traffic Engineering (MPLS TE) are disclosed. The method includes: transmitting traffic over a standby Label Switching Path (LSP) after detecting fault of an active LSP; detecting that the forwarding entry on the active LSP is delivered completely after the fault of the active LSP is rectified; and switching the traffic to the active LSP, and transmitting the traffic over the active LSP. The present invention ensures that the forwarding entry on the active LSP is delivered completely, and prevents packet loss and traffic loss in the case of switching the traffic back from the standby LSP to the active LSP, thus improving the user experience and enhancing the network availability and stability.