Forwarding Path OAM Configuration Using Policy Packets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods face challenges in determining all service flows on a forwarding path, leading to difficulty and inefficiency in performing Operations, Administration, and Maintenance (OAM) on the path due to the need for extensive configuration of identification information on head nodes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a controller generating a policy configuration packet with OAM configuration information and path information to identify the path, allowing head nodes to perform OAM without determining individual service flows, using SR Policy or BGP/PCEP packets to streamline the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all service flows on the forwarding path are determined and identification information of each service flow is configured on the head node, then OAM on the forwarding path can be performed, but the difficulty of determining all service flows increases and the configuration time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the OAM function from service flow-specific processing and applies it directly to the forwarding path. Instead of determining all service flows and configuring their identification information, the solution configures OAM parameters directly on the head node for the forwarding path itself, eliminating the need to identify and process each individual service flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the OAM configuration process by introducing policy configuration packets that carry OAM parameters separately from service flow configuration. This allows OAM to be configured at the path level rather than requiring service flow level configuration, reducing complexity.
2Reliability
If identification information of each determined service flow is configured on the head node, then OAM on the forwarding path can be performed, but the quantity of configuration operations increases leading to lower efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple service flow configuration operations into a single forwarding path configuration. By configuring OAM parameters on the forwarding path directly, the system eliminates the need for separate configuration operations for each service flow, significantly reducing the total number of configuration operations and improving efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary configuration of OAM parameters on the forwarding path before service flows are established. This allows the head node to be pre-configured with OAM capabilities for the path, so that when service flows are transmitted, OAM can be performed immediately without requiring subsequent configuration for each flow.
Data Source
AI summary
A method to perform operations, administrative, and maintenance (OAM) includes a controller generating a policy configuration packet, where the policy configuration packet includes OAM configuration information and information about a first path, and the information about the first path is used to identify the first path. The controller sends the policy configuration packet to a head node of the first path, where the policy configuration packet is used to indicate the head node to perform OAM on the first path based on the OAM configuration information.