OLT Label Management for PWE3 in PON Access Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems require significant complexity and scalability issues in Optical Network Units (ONUs) and Optical Line Terminals (OLTs) to support Pseudo Wire Emulation Edge-to-Edge (PWE3) on Passive Optical Network (PON) access segments, necessitating upgrades to Layer 3 control planes and routing protocols.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that uses the Optical Network Terminal, ONT, Management and Control Interface (OMCI) protocol to manage labels, allowing OLTs to allocate and update PW labels, and ONU forwarding tables without increasing device complexity, by sending label management messages that establish relationships between port information and PW labels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ONUs and OLTs upgrade control plane to Layer 3 and support routing protocols (RIP, LDP, RSVP, T-LDP, BGP) to support PWE3, then PWE3 functionality is achieved, but device complexity increases and scalability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using existing Layer 2 management protocols (OMCI, L2CP) as mediators to carry PWE3 label management information. Instead of requiring ONUs and OLTs to implement complex Layer 3 routing protocols directly, the system uses these existing intermediaries to transport the necessary control information, thereby achieving PWE3 support without increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by making existing Layer 2 management protocols serve dual purposes: their original management functions plus the additional function of carrying PWE3 label distribution information. This multi-functionality approach allows the system to support PWE3 without requiring dedicated new protocols or complex upgrades to ONUs and OLTs
2Adaptability or versatility
If ONUs and OLTs implement Layer 3 routing protocols to support PWE3, then end-to-end PWE3 service is enabled, but scalability of the access network deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses existing Layer 2 management protocols as intermediaries that can scale efficiently in access networks. These protocols already exist in the infrastructure and don't require the complex routing capabilities of Layer 3 protocols, thereby maintaining scalability while enabling PWE3 service
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the PWE3 label management function from the traditional Layer 3 routing plane and places it in the Layer 2 management plane. This extraction allows PWE3 support to be added without affecting the scalability characteristics of the access network, as the management plane can operate independently with simpler protocols
3Device complexity
If existing Layer 2 management protocols are used for label management, then device complexity is reduced, but label management functionality for PWE3 is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing Layer 2 management protocols universal by enabling them to perform both their traditional management functions and the additional function of PWE3 label distribution. This multi-functionality approach maintains simplicity while extending capability to support PWE3
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters and message formats of existing Layer 2 management protocols to include PWE3 label information. By modifying these parameters rather than creating new protocols, the system maintains device simplicity while achieving the necessary label management functionality for PWE3 support
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the field of network communications. An Optical Line Terminal (OLT) allocates a Pseudo Wire (PW) label of an access segment PW for a port, and establishes a corresponding relationship between the port information and the PW label; and carries the corresponding relationship between the port information and the PW label in a label management message, and sends the label management message to an Optical Network Unit (ONU) so that the ONU updates a forwarding table, in which the label management message adopts an access network management protocol. As a consequence, a problem of supporting Pseudo Wire Emulation Edge-to-Edge (PWE3) on a data plane of an access segment of an access network is solved under the conditions that device complexity of the ONU is not increased and a configuration of the ONU is slightly changed.