Network Relay Apparatus for Inter-VRF Multicast Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multicast communication techniques between logically independent networks are complex and costly due to the need for centralized management of multiple Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), which restricts inter-VRF communication and require manual settings of transmission device information, leading to security breaches and increased protocol management complexity.
Innovation Solution
A network relay apparatus and method that acquires transmission device information, establishes communication routes, and relays multicast packets between different networks using a management module, intra-device relay module, and relay information storage, enabling easy and secure multicast communication without prior settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If centralized management of multiple VRFs is implemented by one single router, then network management is simplified, but inter-VRF multicast communication is not allowed and security breaches may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a multicast relay apparatus as an intermediary component between VRFs. This relay apparatus receives multicast packets from one VRF, relays them through its interface, and forwards them to another VRF, enabling inter-VRF multicast communication while maintaining the centralized management structure and security boundaries of individual VRFs
2Reliability
If PIM-SSM protocol is used for inter-VRF multicast routing, then transmission device can be identified in advance, but multicast packets from unspecified number of transmission devices cannot be received
Solution Approach 1:
The multicast relay apparatus is designed to handle multiple multicast protocols and modes simultaneously. It can relay PIM-SSM packets with identified transmission devices while also handling PIM-SM packets from unspecified transmission devices through the rendezvous point mechanism, making the system universally applicable to different multicast scenarios
3Adaptability or versatility
If MSDP is used to exchange transmission device information between rendezvous points, then multicast data from unspecified number of transmission devices can be received, but network management becomes complicated and security may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex MSDP protocol exchange mechanism and replaces it with a simpler relay approach. Instead of having rendezvous points exchange detailed transmission device information through MSDP, the multicast relay apparatus simply receives packets from one VRF and forwards them to another, eliminating the need for complex inter-protocol communication while maintaining the ability to handle unspecified transmission devices
Data Source
AI summary
In a network relay router 10, a multicast routing protocol processing module 11A sequentially sends a join request message (CP1) to a router 30a functioning as a rendezvous point via an interface 101, based on the settings of a multicast group address or destination address and a sender VRF name. The network relay router 10 receives a multicast packet (DP1) from the router 30a via the interface 101 and acquires a sender address or source address of a transmission device SE from the received multicast packet. The network relay router 10 sends a join request message (CP2) via an interface 102 on the side of the transmission device SE and receives a multicast packet via the interface 102. This establishes an optimum multicast route (MR) between the transmission device SE and the network relay router 10.