Pseudowire Termination on Line Cards
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication networks face inefficiencies in handling pseudowires, as they often require all packets to pass through a single common service card, leading to resource inefficiencies and slower data plane processing.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves terminating pseudowires directly on multiple line cards, allowing packets to flow directly between ingress and egress line cards, with pseudowire processing performed on these cards, and distributing pseudowire configuration information to multiple line cards for efficient data plane processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If all pseudowire packets pass through a single common service card, then centralized control and management is simplified, but resource utilization deteriorates and data plane processing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pseudowire processing function from the centralized service card and distributes it to multiple line cards. Each line card is equipped with local pseudowire termination capabilities, allowing packets to be processed at the edge rather than funneled through a central point. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining simplified control through centralized configuration while achieving parallel distributed processing that boosts data plane efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimensional architecture where pseudowire processing occurs simultaneously at multiple spatial locations (different line cards) rather than sequentially through a single service card. This dimensional shift from centralized 2D processing to distributed 3D processing across the network device enables both simplified control planes and high-performance data planes.
2Ease of operation
If pseudowire processing is centralized on a service card, then system control is simplified, but resource inefficiency increases and processing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables line cards to perform pseudowire processing autonomously without requiring constant intervention from the centralized service card. Once configuration is pushed down, line cards independently terminate pseudowires and process packets locally. This self-service capability eliminates resource waste from centralized bottlenecks while maintaining ease of operation through initial centralized configuration.
3Reliability
If packets must traverse through a common service card, then centralized security policy enforcement is achieved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pushing security policies and pseudowire configurations down to line cards in advance. Line cards receive and cache security rules before packets arrive, enabling immediate local enforcement without real-time communication with the service card. This preliminary configuration maintains reliable security enforcement while eliminating time-consuming centralized processing delays.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, line cards of packet switching or other network devices are configured for terminating pseudowires. Typically, this includes multiple line cards being configured for terminating a same pseudowire, which allows the corresponding pseudowire traffic to be received by any one of these multiple line cards. Each of these pseudowire-terminating line cards is typically configured to apply one or more features to a pseudowire packet. Examples of these features include, but are not limited to: Access Control List, Quality of Service, Netflow, and Lawful Intercept. For a received packet to be sent out one of these pseudowires, a two-stage lookup operation can be used to first identify the pseudowire over which to forward the packet; and a second lookup operation based on the pseudowire to identify forwarding information corresponding to a path through a network over which a corresponding pseudowire is configured.