PCECC Network Control for MPLS Service Provisioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current MPLS networks face complexity in deployment and maintenance due to the use of LDP and RSVP-TE signaling protocols, and adding new services is difficult, while OpenFlow networks require device upgrades, limiting their practicality.
Innovation Solution
A Path Computation Element Central Controller (PCECC) computes paths and reserves labels for services, eliminating the need for LDP and RSVP-TE protocols, and downloads forwarding instructions to network nodes, enabling efficient service provisioning and management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If LDP and RSVP-TE signaling protocols are used in MPLS networks, then path establishment and label distribution are achieved, but deployment and maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the control plane functions (path computation, label allocation, forwarding instruction generation) from individual network devices and centralizes them in a PCECC. This eliminates the need for distributed LDP and RSVP-TE signaling protocols while maintaining reliable path establishment and label distribution through centralized control.
2Reliability
If distributed MPLS architecture with LSP states is used, then label switched paths are established, but network device state maintenance burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the LSP state maintenance function from network devices and relocates it to the PCECC. The PCECC maintains a global view of all LSPs and their states, while network devices simply execute forwarding instructions without maintaining LSP state information, significantly reducing device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If OpenFlow SDN network is deployed, then centralized control and flexible management are achieved, but all network devices must be replaced or upgraded to software programmable devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing centralized SDN control only where needed (in the PCECC) while allowing network devices to remain in their existing form factor. The PCECC communicates with traditional network devices using standardized protocols, providing SDN flexibility without requiring device replacement or upgrade.
4Reliability
If MPLS network uses protocol-based signaling, then label distribution is achieved, but adding new services becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by replacing static protocol-based signaling with a dynamic centralized control system. The PCECC can adaptively compute paths and allocate labels based on real-time network conditions and service requirements, enabling easy addition of new services through centralized policy configuration rather than protocol modifications.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method implemented by a path computation element centralized controller (PCECC), the method comprises: receiving a service request to provision for a service from a first edge node and a second edge node in a network; computing a path for a label switched path (LSP) from the first edge node to the second edge node in response to the service request; reserving label information for forwarding traffic of the service on the LSP; and sending a label update message to a third node on the path to facilitate forwarding of the traffic of the service on the path, wherein the label update message comprises the label information.