Service-Based Tunnel Selection for Network Traffic Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computer networks face challenges in reliably forwarding network traffic when primary transport tunnels become unavailable, leading to packet drops and network congestion, as existing systems lack a flexible mechanism to switch to fallback tunnels based on service-specific requirements.
Innovation Solution
A service-based tunnel selection scheme that identifies primary and fallback tunnel mappings, allowing network devices to route traffic through fallback tunnels if the primary tunnel is unavailable, utilizing a tunnel selection scheme that prioritizes tunnels based on service parameters and types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a network device uses a primary transport tunnel for forwarding network traffic, then the network service quality is improved, but when the tunnel becomes unavailable, packet drops occur and reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple tunnel mappings (primary and fallback) before tunnel failures occur. The network device maintains a tunnel selection scheme that identifies primary transport tunnels and fallback transport tunnels in advance, so when the primary tunnel becomes unavailable, the device can immediately switch to a fallback tunnel without complex real-time decision-making, thus improving reliability while controlling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically changing the tunnel selection parameter based on tunnel availability. The network device monitors the availability status of primary transport tunnels and switches the tunnel selection parameter from primary to fallback when the primary tunnel becomes unavailable, allowing flexible adaptation to changing network conditions while maintaining a relatively simple selection mechanism.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If a network device implements flexible fallback tunnel switching, then network traffic continuity is improved, but the tunnel selection scheme complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the tunnel selection process into distinct segments: primary transport tunnel selection and fallback transport tunnel selection. The tunnel selection scheme is segmented into primary mapping modes and fallback mapping modes, allowing the network device to handle tunnel failures through structured, modular decision-making rather than a monolithic complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining fallback tunnel mappings and selection criteria before failures occur. The tunnel selection scheme includes predetermined fallback mapping modes that are activated only when primary tunnels become unavailable, allowing the system to maintain traffic continuity through pre-planned responses rather than complex real-time analysis.
3Reliability
If a network device monitors tunnel availability in real-time, then traffic forwarding reliability is improved, but the operational complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by implementing a monitoring mechanism that detects tunnel availability status and feeds this information back to the tunnel selection process. The network device monitors whether primary transport tunnels are available and uses this feedback to automatically switch between primary and fallback tunnels, improving reliability through automated responses rather than complex manual operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are disclosed for service-based tunnel selection for forwarding network traffic. In one example, a network device obtains, based on service parameters associated with a network service, a tunnel selection scheme. The tunnel selection scheme identifies a primary mapping mode including a primary service color for mapping the network service to a primary service color transport tunnel and at least one fallback service color for mapping the network service to at least one fallback service color transport tunnel. The tunnel selection scheme also identifies at least one fallback mapping mode for mapping the network service to fallback transport tunnels. The primary mapping mode is categorized according to a first type comprising tunnel colorization, while the at least one fallback mapping mode is categorized according to a type other than tunnel colorization.