SDN Controller MPLS Label Assignment for Point-to-Point Connectivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network technologies incur significant overhead and processing costs due to the need for full mesh connectivity and signaling of all MPLS labels among endpoint devices in a VLAN, especially when only point-to-point connections are required, leading to unnecessary routing table updates and maintenance of BGP-VPLS state information.

Innovation Solution

A method that provides non-signaled point-to-point connectivity by moving the responsibility of assigning MPLS labels to a centralized SDN controller, eliminating the need for signaling all MPLS labels and reducing the burden on LERs to maintain BGP-VPLS state information, allowing for vendor-independent label management and reduced routing table complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If full mesh connectivity and signaling of all MPLS labels among endpoint devices is implemented, then connectivity between endpoint devices is achieved, but processing overhead and routing table complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveconnectivityVSAvoidrouting table complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network into customer VLANs and provider core networks, with customer edge devices handling only local VLAN routing while provider edge routers handle inter-VLAN traffic. This segmentation allows endpoint devices to maintain small routing tables for their own VLAN without needing routes to all other endpoints in the network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces provider edge routers as intermediaries between customer endpoint devices. These intermediary routers perform MPLS label swapping and routing lookups, eliminating the need for endpoint devices to maintain full mesh routing tables. The provider network absorbs the routing complexity while customers enjoy simplified local routing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If all MPLS labels are signaled among endpoint devices, then complete routing information is available, but processing overhead and maintenance burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverouting information completenessVSAvoidprocessing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the MPLS label signaling and routing information maintenance functions from customer endpoint devices and relocates them to provider edge routers. Endpoint devices only need to signal labels for their immediate connections, while provider routers handle the complex inter-VLAN label distribution and routing table maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The provider network performs self-service routing by automatically performing MPLS label swaps at provider edge routers based on destination VLAN and endpoint identifiers. This eliminates the need for endpoint devices to manually maintain routing tables for all network endpoints, as the provider network dynamically handles route establishment and updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If BGP-VPLS state information is maintained by LERs for all endpoints, then full mesh connectivity is supported, but device memory and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefull mesh connectivity supportVSAvoidmemory requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments BGP-VPLS state information maintenance between customer edge devices and provider edge routers. Customer devices maintain minimal state for their local VLAN, while provider routers maintain the comprehensive BGP-VPLS routing tables for inter-VLAN traffic. This segmentation distributes memory requirements according to actual needs at each network level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds an MPLS label dimension to the routing architecture, allowing routing decisions to be made based on MPLS labels rather than traditional IP routing tables. This dimensional change enables provider routers to perform efficient label-based forwarding without requiring endpoint devices to maintain large routing tables, effectively moving the memory burden to the provider network infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS12261718B2Method and apparatus for providing a point-to-point connection over a network

Publication Date: 2025.03.25 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

A method and apparatus for providing a point-to-point connection are disclosed. The method queries for a next available label for a first provider edge router and a next available label for a second provider edge router, performs a first configuration at the first provider edge router and a second configuration at the second provider edge router, wherein the performing the first configuration comprises configuring a first interface and configuring a label for using at least one tunnel by a second interface, wherein the performing the second configuration comprises configuring a third interface and configuring a label for using the at least one tunnel by a fourth interface, and performs a first mapping for the first provider edge router from the first interface to the second interface, and a second mapping for the second provider edge router from the third interface to the fourth interface.