Private Line Emulation Interworking in Packet Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Service providers face challenges in provisioning transport services using Private Line Emulation (PLE) in packet-switched networks, especially when routers do not support PLE technologies or when different router vendors have proprietary and incompatible PLE technologies.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves deploying interworking components and functions as part of transport network devices, rather than packet edge routers, to perform PSN-bound and CE-bound interworking, enabling the creation of a PLE domain within a packet-switched network using technologies like Ethernet, IP, MPLS, and pseudowires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If packet edge routers are used to provision transport services, then service provisioning capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to proprietary and incompatible PLE technologies from different vendors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces transport network devices as intermediary components between customer edge devices and packet edge routers. These intermediaries perform the PLE functions that were previously embedded in routers, acting as a mediator layer that standardizes the interface between different network domains and eliminates the need for routers to handle proprietary PLE technologies directly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the PLE functionality from the router by deploying dedicated transport network devices. This segmentation separates the service provisioning functions (handled by transport network devices) from the core routing functions (handled by packet edge routers), allowing each component to be optimized independently and reducing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If routers are used for transport services, then infrastructure utilization is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to lack of precision timing support
Solution Approach 1:
Transport network devices serve as intermediaries that receive bit streams from customer edge devices and encapsulate them into packets suitable for IP routing. This intermediary layer absorbs the timing sensitivity requirements, allowing the packet-switched network to handle transport services without compromising reliability through its inherent packet switching capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of data representation from continuous bit streams (requiring precision timing) to discrete packets (tolerant of variable timing). By converting the transport interface from circuit-switched to packet-switched, the system maintains reliability while enabling flexible infrastructure utilization.
3Reliability
If OTN technology is used for transport services, then service quality is improved, but cost increases due to expensive timing requirements and framing overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses transport network devices as intermediaries that interface between OTN services and the packet-switched network. These devices handle the expensive OTN timing and framing requirements at the edge, while the core packet-switched network operates with simpler, more cost-effective packet processing mechanisms, thereby reducing overall system cost while maintaining service quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the complex OTN timing and framing functions from the core network infrastructure and places them in dedicated transport network devices at the edge. This extraction allows the main packet-switched network to operate without the expensive timing infrastructure, reducing manufacturing and operational costs while preserving OTN service quality at the access point.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides new and innovation solutions for packet line emulation over packet-switched networks.