MPLS Traffic Engineering for IMS VoIP Network Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing VoIP networks in industrial facilities, such as hydrocarbon extraction and processing, face disruptions and quality degradation due to dropped calls and suboptimal network paths, particularly in emergency situations, where traditional methods fail to ensure reliable and high-quality real-time communication.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) Traffic Engineering (TE) design for IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)-based Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) networks, which configures specific Labeled Switching Paths (LSPs) to prioritize VoIP traffic, avoid suboptimal network nodes, and provide redundancy, ensuring high-quality and reliable communication by creating full meshes between user endpoints and core sites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional IP routing is used in VoIP networks, then network flexibility and ease of configuration are improved, but call reliability and quality of service deteriorate due to dropped calls and suboptimal paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-establishes Labeled Switching Paths (LSPs) between User Endpoints (UEs) and IMS Core sites, and between IMS Core sites, before VoIP calls are needed. These LSPs are configured in advance to ensure optimal routing paths exist ready for immediate use, preventing call drops and quality degradation during actual voice traffic transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces MPLS Labeled Switching Paths as an intermediary layer between traditional IP routing and VoIP traffic. This LSP infrastructure acts as a mediator that guarantees quality of service by providing dedicated, pre-configured paths for voice traffic, isolating it from general network congestion and routing issues.
2Reliability
If MPLS Traffic Engineering with full mesh LSP configuration is implemented, then call reliability and quality of service are improved, but network complexity and configuration overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network configuration into distinct LSP sets: first LSPs connecting UEs to IMS Core sites, second LSPs forming full mesh between UEs, and third LSPs forming full mesh between IMS Core sites. This segmentation allows each LSP set to be configured and managed independently, reducing overall configuration complexity while maintaining comprehensive coverage and reliability.
3Loss of time
If dedicated Labeled Switching Paths are configured for VoIP traffic, then latency and jitter are reduced improving voice quality, but network resource consumption and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent configures LSPs to serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide dedicated low-latency paths for voice traffic, offer redundancy for failover scenarios, and establish full mesh connectivity for both UE-to-UE and UE-to-IMS Core communications. This multi-functionality maximizes the utility of the network infrastructure, reducing the need for additional dedicated resources.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) Traffic Engineering (TE) design for IP Multimedia Subsystems (IMS) include determining that a network is a flat MPLS-enabled Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) or Unified Communications IMS network including an IMS Core site and excluding Session Border Controllers (SBCs). The network further includes multiple user endpoints (UEs). Responsive to determining that the network is a flat MPLS-enabled VoIP or Unified Communications IMS network, the computer system configures a first set of TE LSPs between each UE and the IMS Core site. The computer system configures a second set of TE LSPs between each UE and each other UE of the plurality of UEs to form a full mesh. A display device of the computer system generates a graphical representation of the network. The graphical representation represents the first set of TE LSPs and the second set of TE LSPs connecting each UE.