Outer MAC Header Encapsulation for Provider Ethernet Forwarding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Ethernet network technologies face challenges in extensibility and interoperability when extending to metropolitan area networks, leading to inefficiencies in data forwarding between multiple Provider Backbone Bridged Networks (PBBNs), particularly due to the need for complex address mapping and increased encapsulation levels which lower forwarding efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that use network addresses of the first and last provider Ethernet networks as source and destination addresses in the outer MAC header for data packets, allowing for single-layer encapsulation and decapsulation, thereby simplifying the forwarding process and eliminating the need for complex inter-domain path configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If MAC-in-MAC encapsulation is used to extend Ethernet network to metropolitan area network, then network extensibility is improved, but forwarding efficiency deteriorates due to multiple encapsulation layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nested encapsulation by placing the client data packet (with inner MAC header) inside a provider backbone data packet (with outer MAC header). This allows the client packet to be transported across multiple provider Ethernet networks while maintaining both client-specific addressing and provider-wide routing capabilities, resolving the contradiction between extensibility and forwarding efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the addressing function into two parts: inner MAC addresses for client network identification and outer MAC addresses for provider network routing. This segmentation allows independent optimization of client service and provider transport, improving forwarding efficiency while maintaining extensibility
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex address mapping is implemented to establish inter-domain paths, then network interoperability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the outer MAC header as an intermediary layer that mediates between client networks and provider backbone networks. This intermediary carries provider routing information without requiring complex configuration or coordination between different provider domains, simplifying inter-domain path establishment while maintaining interoperability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the provider routing information into a separate outer MAC header, removing it from the client data packet. This extraction allows provider networks to route packets independently without affecting client network operations, reducing configuration complexity while improving interoperability
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a method and a system for forwarding data between provider Ethernet networks, wherein a first provider Ethernet network is the first provider Ethernet network in a path through which a first data packet is transmitted, and a second provider Ethernet network is the last provider Ethernet network in the path. The method includes using network addresses of the first provider Ethernet network and the second provider Ethernet network as a source address and a destination address of an outer MAC header with which the first data packet is encapsulated when the first data packet is transmitted between the first provider Ethernet network and the second provider Ethernet network; and decapsulating the first data packet and forwarding the decapsulated data packet to the second client network after the first data packet is forwarded to the second provider Ethernet network.