PE-CE Link Discovery in MPLS Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
MPLS networks face challenges in visibility and access, particularly in managing networks with overlapping address domains, leading to difficulties in discovering and visualizing PE-CE links, which complicates network management for service providers.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a network management system that uses SNMP queries, routing protocols like BGP, OSPF, and EIGRP to identify and bind PE routers to CE routers through VRF interfaces, resolving ambiguities by analyzing routing peers and peer addresses, even in scenarios with duplicate IP addresses or router redundancies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If MPLS networks use encapsulation and label switching to direct data, then network scalability and protocol agnosticism are improved, but visibility and access into the network cloud deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary discovery mechanism that operates within the MPLS cloud to map PE-CE links. This intermediary system uses routing protocol analysis and peer address comparison to create visibility into the network cloud without disrupting the label-switching encapsulation that provides scalability. The intermediary layer reconciles the contradiction by providing management visibility while preserving the encapsulated data plane.
2Device complexity
If MPLS networks hide internal structure for security and simplicity, then network management complexity is reduced, but the capacity for discovery and access deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing routing protocol adjacencies and collecting peer address information before management discovery is needed. The system proactively builds a map of PE-CE relationships by analyzing routing tables and peer addresses in advance, so that when management access is required, the discovery capacity is already prepared without adding operational complexity.
3Measurement precision
If routing protocols are used to discover PE-CE links, then discovery accuracy is improved, but overhead and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential discovery information from routing protocols - specifically peer addresses and routing table entries - rather than processing entire routing protocol data structures. By taking out only the necessary peer address comparisons and link binding information, the system achieves accurate PE-CE link discovery while minimizing processing overhead and energy consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for discovering a link between an entry-exit device of a computer network and a customer edge device is disclosed. The customer edge device includes an address and the entry/exit point device includes a routing table. Interfaces with the routing table and addresses of the computer network related to the entry/exit point device are obtained. Either a routing protocol or the routing table is used to obtain routing information. The routing information is compared to a selected address to find a match. The routing information the matches the selected address represents the address of the customer edge device.