Service-Based Route Target Allocation for MPLS VPN Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing and troubleshooting Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) is challenging due to the complexity of route target management in centralized systems, making it difficult to identify and address issues without intensive computation and holistic knowledge.
Innovation Solution
A network management system that allocates and provisions service-based route targets, using a service-based route target allocator to generate unique identifiers for service providers and services, and converts data for meaningful display, facilitating easier management and troubleshooting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a centralized management system is used to manage VPNs, then route targets can be provisioned and displayed, but managing and troubleshooting becomes difficult without intensive computation and holistic knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the route target management by introducing service identifiers that divide the complex routing information into manageable service-based units. Each service identifier represents a specific service instance, allowing administrators to manage VPNs by service rather than by individual route targets, thereby reducing the cognitive load and simplifying troubleshooting while maintaining comprehensive control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces service identifiers as intermediary elements between the administrative view and the actual route target configuration. These service identifiers act as mediators that translate complex routing policies into service-level abstractions, making the management system more user-friendly while preserving the underlying complexity for automated processing.
2Measurement precision
If route targets are managed as a list without service context, then comprehensive control is maintained, but identification and troubleshooting of specific VPN issues becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by attaching service-specific identifiers and attributes to each route target entry. Instead of treating all route targets uniformly, the system adds localized service context (such as service type, service provider, and service instance) to each entry, enabling precise identification and troubleshooting of specific VPN issues while maintaining the overall list structure for comprehensive control.
Data Source
AI summary
A network controller to allocate route targets for communication services provided on one or more corresponding virtual private networks, the route targets identifying service providers associated with the virtual private networks and the communication services provided by the corresponding virtual private networks.