Stitching Multicast Trees via Edge Device VLAN Forwarder Election
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data center interconnect mechanisms face challenges in efficiently transmitting multicast data between multiple data centers while avoiding forwarding loops and duplicate data transmissions, which can disrupt networks and waste bandwidth.
Innovation Solution
The technique involves stitching together multicast trees using edge devices that determine Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) through designated forwarder elections, pruning shared multicast trees, and applying filtering to ensure seamless handoff and efficient data transmission across different networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If current data center interconnect mechanisms are used for multicast transmissions, then data can be transmitted between multiple data centers, but forwarding loops and duplicate data transmissions occur causing network disruption and bandwidth waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (designated forwarder election and tree stitching protocol) that mediates between multiple data center networks. This intermediary layer coordinates multicast tree construction across data centers, preventing forwarding loops by establishing a hierarchical structure where edge devices act as controlled intermediaries between internal data center networks and external multicast domains.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the multicast transmission problem into two distinct parts: internal data center multicast trees and external inter-datacenter multicast trees. By pruning shared multicast trees at edge devices and constructing separate stitched trees for each data center, the system avoids the forwarding loops that occur when a single shared tree spans multiple autonomous networks.
2Adaptability or versatility
If shared multicast trees are used across multiple data centers, then multicast data can reach multiple destinations, but duplicate data transmissions occur wasting bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the multicast distribution function into separate segments for each data center. Each data center constructs its ownpruned multicast tree from the shared tree, ensuring that data is transmitted once per data center network rather than being duplicated across all networks. This segmentation eliminates redundant transmissions while maintaining multicast reachability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing each data center to have its own optimized multicast tree structure tailored to its specific network topology and requirements. Edge devices perform localized tree construction and pruning operations, ensuring that each data center receives multicast data through an optimized path without duplicate transmissions from other data centers.
3Adaptability or versatility
If edge devices participate in multiple VLANs through designated forwarder election, then multicast tree stitching can be achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes edge devices universal by enabling them to participate in multiple VLANs simultaneously through designated forwarder election. Each edge device can act as a designated forwarder for different VLANs, constructing and stitching multicast trees for multiple virtual networks. This multi-functionality allows a single edge device to handle diverse multicast requirements across different VLANs without requiring separate dedicated devices for each VLAN.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for stitching multicast trees in a multiple data center environment. According to one embodiment, a technique for stitching multicast trees is provided, which includes determining, at an edge device of a data center, one or more Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) assigned to the edge device as a result of a designated forwarder election. An assigned forwarder message is sent by the edge device to one or more devices on the data center, the assigned forwarder message advertising the edge device as a designated forwarder for the VLANs assigned to the edge device. For each of the VLANs assigned to the edge device, the assigned forwarder message causes the edge device to be included in a multicast tree for the VLAN when the assigned forwarder message is received by specific ones of the devices in the data center that are associated with the VLAN.