Packet Tunnel Network Scalability via Instance Identifier Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ethernet provider networks are limited in the number of VLANs and customer devices they can support due to the length constraints of VLAN identifiers and MAC address memory limitations, which restricts the scalability of VPN services.
Innovation Solution
A packet tunnel network configuration that uses multiple Ethernet provider networks with shared S-VLANs, Edge Bridges, and packet tunnels to enable multipoint communication between provider networks, allowing for flexible VLAN identification and reduced MAC address learning, thereby overcoming the limitations of traditional VLAN and MAC address management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a longer VLAN identifier is used to support more VLANs, then the number of supported VLANs increases, but compatibility with existing Ethernet devices is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the VLAN identification function into two parts: a standard 12-bit VLAN identifier for compatibility with existing devices, and a new 24-bit instance identifier for extended scalability. This segmentation allows the system to maintain backward compatibility while achieving extended VLAN support without requiring changes to existing Ethernet devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds the instance identifier within the existing VLAN tag structure by inserting it at specific offset positions (12-23 bits) within the 32-bit VLAN tag. This nesting approach allows the extended identifier to be carried within the existing VLAN frame format, maintaining compatibility with standard Ethernet devices while enabling extended functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more customer devices are supported by learning more MAC addresses, then the number of supported customer devices increases, but the memory required for storing MAC addresses increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the customer device identification function from the MAC address learning mechanism. Instead of storing MAC addresses in switch memory, the system uses the instance identifier (24 bits) to identify customer devices and their associated VLANs. This extraction eliminates the need for large MAC address tables while maintaining the ability to support numerous customer devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the identification parameter from MAC addresses (48 bits) to instance identifiers (24 bits). This parameter change reduces the memory footprint significantly while providing sufficient uniqueness for customer device identification. The instance identifier is used in place of MAC addresses for forwarding decisions, thereby reducing the quantity of memory required.
3Reliability
If Ethernet provider networks use traditional VLAN mechanisms, then traffic identification is effective, but the network size is restricted by VLAN and MAC address limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the VLAN identification capability by adding an additional dimension - the instance identifier - to the existing VLAN tag structure. This dimensional expansion transforms the 12-bit VLAN identifier into a 24-bit instance identifier, effectively doubling the identification space and enabling much larger network sizes while maintaining traffic identification effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
Packet tunnel network configuration methods, management system operation methods, and management systems receive a request to enable layer-two Ethernet communication between service virtual local area networks via edge bridges fully connected by packet tunnels. The packet tunnel network configuration methods, management system operation methods, and management systems direct the edge bridges to establish the packet tunnels and modify Ethernet packets received from the service virtual local area networks by adding an instance service identifier and a tunnel identifier to the received Ethernet packets.