SPB E-VPN Interworking via Dummy Node
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current networking technologies face challenges in achieving fully link- and node-redundant interworking between Shortest Path Bridging (SPB) and Ethernet Virtual Private Networks (E-VPN) while maintaining active-active operation, leading to suboptimal load sharing and increased restoration times due to the need for service awareness and loop avoidance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of active-active interworking systems and methods that allow SPBM to interwork with E-VPN using multiple links and nodes, employing a dummy node to project an extra node in the second protocol, enabling all links to be utilized for traffic carrying and maintaining redundancy without per-service filtering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single spanning tree is used for loop avoidance in redundant Ethernet networking, then loop prevention is achieved, but all paths between endpoints except one are blocked, resulting in poor load sharing and reduced network utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into multiple independent shortest path trees, each handling specific traffic flows. Instead of a single spanning tree blocking all but one path, multiple STPs are created that can be simultaneously active, allowing traffic to be distributed across multiple paths without loop prevention conflicts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic path selection where the active path between endpoints changes based on traffic flow direction and network conditions. Multiple bidirectional links can be simultaneously active in different directions, creating dynamic redundancy that maximizes network utilization while preventing loops through coordinated state management.
2Reliability
If multiple redundant links and nodes are deployed between SPB and E-VPN networks, then network resilience and load sharing are improved, but achieving active-active operation becomes complex due to protocol differences and loop avoidance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary control mechanism that translates between SPB and E-VPN protocol requirements. This intermediary layer manages the interaction between the two protocols, coordinating path selection and loop avoidance without requiring complex end-to-end protocol integration, thereby simplifying the interworking architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal control framework that handles multiple protocol requirements simultaneously. The system provides multi-functional capabilities by managing both SPB and E-VPN protocols through a unified control plane that can adapt to different protocol requirements, reducing the complexity of protocol-specific implementations.
3Reliability
If service awareness is implemented for loop avoidance in redundant networking, then loop prevention is maintained, but restoration times increase due to the need for service reassignment and re-announcement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary path computation and state preparation during normal operation. When failures occur, the system can immediately activate pre-computed alternative paths without requiring service reassignment or re-announcement, dramatically reducing restoration time while maintaining loop prevention through pre-coordinated state transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the network to skip the traditional service reassignment and re-announcement steps during failure recovery. By using pre-computed backup paths and pre-coordinated state management, the system rushes through the recovery process by directly activating alternative paths without the time-consuming service reconfiguration steps required by service-aware protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
An Ethernet network, an Ethernet method, and an Ethernet node provide active-active dual-homed interworking between two Ethernet networks. The network, method, and node can include two nodes interconnected each to a Shortest Path Bridging (SPB) network and an Ethernet Virtual Private Network (E-VPN). The two nodes can utilize a same Ethernet Segment Identifier (ESI) for the E-VPN network to cause the dual-homed links to appear as a single link from an E-VPN perspective and a dummy node to advertise an extra node in the SPB network enabling two paths therein.