NQA-Triggered TE FRR Path Switching for QoS Compliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current MPLS TE technologies fail to meet real-time service requirements due to delayed fault detection and inability to trigger fast path switching in cases of signal degradation, leading to packet loss and QoS issues, especially in long-distance carrier networks with high traffic or equipment faults.
Innovation Solution
Integration of Network Quality Analysis (NQA) technology with Fast Reroute (FRR) to detect communication quality parameters such as packet loss, delay, and jitter, triggering path switching to a standby path when thresholds are met, ensuring Quality of Service (QoS) compliance with Service Level Agreements (SLA).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hello packets are transmitted periodically between RSVP-TE devices to detect faults, then fault detection capability is provided, but detection delay exceeds 200ms requirement for real-time services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring detection mechanisms and standby paths before faults occur. NQA detection tasks are pre-established to monitor communication quality, and standby LSPs are pre-computed and ready. When degradation is detected, the system can immediately switch without waiting for fault confirmation, reducing detection delay while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by transitioning from static periodic hello packet detection to dynamic quality monitoring. The system continuously monitors communication quality parameters and adapts the detection frequency and switching decision based on real-time conditions. This dynamic approach enables faster response to degradation while reducing unnecessary switching during transient issues.
2Reliability
If TE FRR switches traffic to standby path quickly, then packet loss is reduced, but signal degradation during congestion cannot be detected and triggered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a multi-functional detection and switching system. NQA detection tasks can monitor multiple communication quality parameters (packet loss, delay, jitter) across different LSPs. The system universally applies quality threshold evaluation to all monitored paths and can trigger switching for any parameter that degrades below thresholds, making the system adaptable to various degradation scenarios beyond just fault detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring communication quality parameters and using this information to control switching decisions. The system collects quality data from NQA tasks, compares it against predefined thresholds, and feeds this information back to the switching control logic. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to detect signal degradation and trigger appropriate switching actions while avoiding unnecessary switches during transient conditions.
3Reliability
If standby path is deployed in conventional network, then path protection is provided, but switching cannot be triggered without fault occurrence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by monitoring multiple communication quality parameters (packet loss ratio, delay, jitter) instead of relying solely on binary fault states. The system defines threshold values for each parameter and triggers switching when any parameter exceeds its threshold. This approach transforms the switching trigger from a simple fault-present/absent decision to a multi-parameter quality assessment, enabling proactive switching before complete failures occur while optimizing bandwidth utilization by avoiding unnecessary switches.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and device for path switchover in communications field are provided. The method includes: detecting communication quality of traffic transmitted on an active path and obtaining a detection value of the communication quality; determining whether the detection value meets a switching condition; if yes, switching the traffic transmitted on the active path to a standby path. The device includes a detecting module, an obtaining module, a determining module and a switching module. The embodiment of the present disclosure integrates the NQA technology for detecting the path communication quality and the TE FRR fast path switching technology, and the NQA detection result may trigger the TE FRR path to switch quickly. Therefore, when the signal quality of the path degrades, making the QoS requirement of the SLA hard to meet, the traffic may be switched to standby path to meet the requirement of the SLA agreed originally between the carrier and the user, so as to improve the user experience and the satisfactory degree on the service provided by the carriers.