Multipoint Communication Path Aggregation via Upstream Label Mappings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication networks face challenges in efficiently building and managing multipoint communication paths, particularly in provider networks, where maintaining state information for each path is required, and legacy multicast protocols are not seamlessly integrated with label switching protocols.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of upstream and recursive downstream label mappings enables the construction of multipoint communication paths without requiring complete route information and allows for aggregation of inner multipoint paths into outer paths, reducing the need for state maintenance, while also supporting legacy multicast protocols by converting them into label switching protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complete route information is maintained for each multipoint path, then path reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complete route information into two parts: (1) the path to the root node is maintained, and (2) the subtree structure at each node is stored. This segmentation allows the system to maintain only necessary route information without storing complete paths for all nodes, thereby reducing state maintenance complexity while preserving path reliability through the root-node reference mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where each node stores a reference to its parent node and its children nodes. This nested tree structure allows the system to represent complete paths through hierarchical references rather than storing full paths explicitly. The root node contains references to all leaf nodes, and intermediate nodes contain references to their children, creating a compact nested representation that reduces overall state complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If legacy multicast protocols are integrated with label switching protocols, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism at the root node that converts between legacy multicast protocol messages and label switching protocol messages. This intermediary handles the protocol translation by receiving multicast join/prune messages from legacy protocols and converting them into LDP or RSVP-TE label distribution messages, thereby enabling integration without requiring each device to implement full protocol conversion capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal interface at the root node that can handle multiple protocol types (legacy multicast protocols and label switching protocols). The root node serves as a multi-functional gateway that can receive messages from different protocol sources and forward them appropriately through the label switching network, allowing the system to adapt to various protocol requirements without increasing complexity at individual nodes.
3Device complexity
If multipoint paths are aggregated into outer paths, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of individual paths deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the measurement precision issue by adding a new dimension of identification through unique path identifiers. Each multipoint path is assigned a unique identifier (such as a FEC - forwarding equivalence class) that can be used to precisely identify and measure the path. This identifier is carried through the aggregation from inner paths to outer paths, allowing precise path measurement even when paths are aggregated, thus maintaining measurement precision while reducing management complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus to implement multipoint and replicated communication paths using upstream and recursive downstream label mappings are disclosed. An example method to aggregate multipoint communication paths disclosed herein comprises sending an upstream label assignment request to an upstream router in response to receiving a first downstream message for building a first inner multipoint communication path between a root node identified in the first downstream message and a leaf node originating the first downstream message, and receiving an upstream-assigned label from the upstream router in response to the upstream label assignment request, the upstream-assigned label to identify the first inner multipoint communication path among a plurality of inner multipoint communication paths conveyed via an outer multipoint communication path aggregating the plurality of inner multipoint communication paths.