Multi-Method Pseudo-Wire Grouping for MPLS Notification Efficiency

The patent implements multi-method PW grouping where a single PW can belong to multiple groups identified by different grouping methods (e.g., physical port-based grouping and LSP-based grouping). This multi-functionality allows the system to handle various failure types efficiently - when a physical port fails, port-based grouping enables wildcard messaging; when an LSP fails, LSP-based grouping enables wildcard messaging. The receiving PE device maintains multiple group identifiers for each PW and can process wildcard messages based on the specific failure type, thus resolving the contradiction between implementation simplicity and message transmission efficiency.

The patent segments the PW identification system into multiple independent grouping methods, each with its own group identifier. Instead of using a single group identifier that would need to encode all possible failure scenarios, the system divides the identification task into separate segments: port-based group identifiers for physical port failures and LSP-based group identifiers for LSP failures. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simple message formats for each specific failure type while achieving comprehensive coverage of various failure causes through the combination of multiple grouping methods.

The patent implements dynamic wildcard messaging capability where the system adapts its message notification approach based on the failure type. When a failure affects multiple PWs that share the same group identifier (e.g., multiple PWs on the same physical port or same LSP), the system dynamically switches to wildcard messaging to notify all affected PWs simultaneously, reducing message processing complexity and conserving system resources. When failures are isolated to single PWs, the system uses individual message notifications. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between message processing complexity and system resource utilization.