Multicast Virtual Private Network Scalability via BGP Overlay

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multicast virtual private network (MVPN) technologies face inefficiencies in bandwidth usage and control plane resource management, leading to instability and inferior customer experiences due to the dynamic nature of building and tearing down multicast trees, especially in low-data rate and small-fan-out applications, and the need for separate multicast management tools.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a non-congruent design that overlays MVPN services over a unicast MPLS infrastructure using Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) capabilities, separating multicast state management from backbone routers and providing separate control planes for multicast and unicast services, with multicast service processors managing the multicast control and data planes to achieve scalability and resource efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multicast trees are dynamically built and torn down in existing MVPN technologies, then multicast services can be provided, but control plane resource management becomes inefficient and system stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoidcontrol plane resource management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control plane and data plane by introducing a separate control plane protocol (BGP) independent from the data forwarding mechanism. This separation allows control plane resources to be managed independently from multicast tree dynamics, reducing control plane complexity and improving stability. The control plane uses BGP routing updates to establish multicast distribution, while the data plane simply forwards packets based on installed forwarding entries without dynamic tree reconstruction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of dynamically building and tearing down multicast trees in response to traffic demands, the patent inverts the approach by pre-establishing multicast distribution paths through BGP routing updates. The control plane proactively configures forwarding entries before data flow begins, eliminating the need for dynamic tree construction and teardown operations that consume control plane resources and cause instability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate multicast management tools are used, then multicast services can be managed, but device complexity and operational overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulticast service management capabilityVSAvoidmanagement tool requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the control plane protocol (BGP) universal by using it for both unicast and multicast routing management. BGP routing updates carry both unicast and multicast routing information, and the same control plane infrastructure manages both service types. This eliminates the need for separate multicast management tools, as the existing BGP-based control plane handles multicast service configuration, provisioning, and management alongside unicast services.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multicast and unicast control plane management into a single BGP-based framework. Both unicast and multicast routing information are exchanged through BGP updates, and the control plane processes both types of routing simultaneously. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate multicast management toolsets, reducing operational complexity while maintaining full multicast service management capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If root edge node replicates copies of multicast data for each leaf edge node, then multicast data delivery is achieved, but bandwidth usage becomes inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulticast data deliveryVSAvoidbandwidth usage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing multicast distribution paths through BGP control plane updates before actual data transmission begins. Forwarding entries are installed in advance, creating optimized distribution paths that efficiently route multicast data to multiple leaf edge nodes simultaneously. This preconfiguration enables the network to deliver multicast data efficiently without requiring root edge nodes to replicate copies for each leaf node, as the forwarding infrastructure is already optimized for multicast distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10313239B2Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to provide a multicast virtual private network (MVPN)

Publication Date: 2019.06.04 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to provide a multicast virtual private network (MVPN) are disclosed. An example method to transmit multicast data over a communication network includes receiving, at a first machine, a multicast data packet from an ingress provider edge router of the communication network, the multicast data packet associated with a multicast route, and transmitting a first replication of the multicast data packet from the first machine to a second machine via a first unicast path. The first replication of the multicast data packet includes a first label provided by the second machine to identify the multicast route in the second machine. Example methods further include receiving the first replication of the multicast data packet at the second machine via the first unicast path, and replicating the multicast data packet from the second machine to an egress provider edge router of the communication network.