Multicast Label Switch Path Failure Notification
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multicast label switch paths established based on the multicast label distribution protocol (mLDP), leaf nodes are unable to timely acquire failure information, as conventional protocols only allow failure notifications between neighboring Label Switch Routers, preventing successful transfer of failure information to leaf nodes.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for failure notification that detects failures in multicast label switch paths and sends failure information to downstream nodes, which then forward this information to leaf nodes, ensuring that leaf nodes receive timely failure information to maintain network reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional mLDP protocol is used for multicast label switch path establishment, then the protocol complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but failure information cannot be transmitted to leaf nodes resulting in loss of information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where upstream nodes act as mediators to forward failure information downstream. When a failure is detected at any node, the failure information is propagated along the multicast tree through intermediate nodes until it reaches the leaf node, enabling failure notification without requiring direct communication between leaf nodes and root nodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the failure notification process into multiple hops along the multicast tree. Instead of requiring a single direct notification path, the failure information is divided and transmitted through multiple intermediate nodes, each responsible for forwarding to its downstream neighbors, thus distributing the notification function across the network infrastructure.
2Reliability
If failure notification is implemented across the entire multicast tree, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity and protocol overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where each node in the multicast tree autonomously detects failures and forwards failure notifications downstream without requiring centralized control. Each node maintains its own failure detection and notification capabilities, eliminating the need for complex centralized management while ensuring reliable failure notification throughout the tree.
Solution Approach 2:
The failure notification mechanism is designed to be dynamic, adapting to the actual network topology and failure locations. The notification process activates only when failures occur, and the path of notification dynamically follows the multicast tree structure, avoiding the need for continuous complex signaling while maintaining high reliability.
3Loss of time
If conventional mLDP protocol is used, then the ease of operation is improved, but the responsiveness to failures is reduced resulting in loss of time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing the multicast tree structure and pre-configuring failure notification paths during tree construction. When failures occur, the pre-configured notification mechanisms are immediately activated, eliminating the need for complex real-time path calculation and reducing failure detection time while maintaining protocol simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus for failure notification are provided. The method includes: sending, when it is detected that a failure occurs in a multicast label switch path, failure information to a downstream node of a multicast tree where a failed point locates, where the multicast label switch path is established based on a multicast label distribution protocol; and forwarding the failure information through the downstream node, where the failure information arrives at a leaf node of the multicast tree where the failed point locates. According to the method and the apparatus for failure notification of the present invention, finally, the failure information is transmitted to a leaf node. After the failure information is obtained, the leaf node may take appropriate measure to ensure the normal service and improve the reliability of the network.