Network Element Forwarding Path Optimization for Micro-Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mobile networks, mobility events introduce significant delays and strain on system resources due to interactions between the control plane and forwarding plane, leading to disruptions in data traffic forwarding for mobile nodes.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented where a network element receives a mobility message indicating a mobile node's change in access ports, allowing the ingress engine to redirect packets destined for the mobile node from the old egress engine to a new egress engine associated with the new access port, updating the forwarding table to minimize disruptions and delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the control plane reprograms the forwarding plane to handle mobility events, then data traffic forwarding is restored, but significant delays and strain on system resources occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes forwarding paths and maintains forwarding state information in advance at the network element. When a mobility event occurs, the pre-configured paths enable immediate traffic redirection without waiting for control plane reprogramming, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable traffic restoration and response time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mobility anchor point and pre-established tunnel as an intermediary mechanism. The tunnel acts as a pre-configured forwarding path that can immediately handle mobile node traffic during mobility events, bypassing the need for real-time control plane intervention and reducing both delay and system strain.
2Reliability
If the control plane reprograms the forwarding plane for each mobility event, then traffic is correctly routed, but system resources are strained
Solution Approach 1:
Forwarding paths and state information are established in advance at the network element before mobility events occur. This preliminary configuration allows the system to handle multiple mobility events simultaneously using pre-allocated resources, improving system productivity while maintaining accurate traffic routing through the pre-configured paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The network element autonomously maintains forwarding state information and can independently redirect traffic along pre-established paths during mobility events without requiring continuous control plane reprogramming. This self-service capability reduces control plane workload and improves system resource efficiency while maintaining routing accuracy.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus of updating a forwarding plane of a network element in response to receiving a mobility event is described. The network element receives a mobility message indicating a mobile node has coupled to a new access port associated with the network element. The message further indicates that the mobile node moved from an old access port to a new access port. The network element adds an entry in a forwarding table of the old egress engine to redirect a set of packets destined to the mobile node to a new egress engine, where the new egress engine is associated with the new access port. Furthermore, the network element redirects the set of packet from the old egress engine to the new egress engine.