SR-MPLS to SRv6 Packet Forwarding via BSID Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current networks lack a protocol and solution for forwarding data packets from an SRv6 domain to an MPLS domain, specifically at border nodes, where the forwarding table lookup is unclear.
Innovation Solution
A packet forwarding method and system that involves a source node in an SR-MPLS domain sending a packet with an SR-Policy segment list containing a BSID in MPLS label form through an SRv6 domain, where border nodes replace the BSID with an SRv6-Policy and decapsulate IPv6 headers to perform MPLS label forwarding table lookups, ensuring seamless packet forwarding across domains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If data packets are forwarded from SRv6 domain to MPLS domain at border nodes, then packet forwarding between domains is enabled, but the forwarding table lookup mechanism is unclear and lacks protocol support
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mapping mechanism where the border node maintains a mapping table that translates SRv6 destination addresses to MPLS labels. This intermediary structure enables protocol conversion between SRv6 and MPLS domains without requiring complex multi-table lookups, resolving the forwarding ambiguity at domain boundaries
Solution Approach 2:
The forwarding process is segmented into distinct stages: SR-Policy lookup at source node, SRv6-Policy lookup at first border node, and MPLS label forwarding at second border node. This segmentation allows each node type to use optimized lookup mechanisms appropriate to its domain, reducing overall system complexity while enabling inter-domain forwarding
2Reliability
If SR-Policy segment list contains BSID in MPLS label form for SRv6 domain traversal, then end-to-end SR Policy is established, but the packet forwarding process at border nodes becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter representation of the segment list at different domain boundaries. At the first border node, BSID in MPLS label form is converted to SRv6-Policy with destination address. At the second border node, SRv6-Policy is converted back to MPLS label form. This parameter transformation approach maintains policy consistency while adapting to different domain requirements, reducing forwarding complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The segment list is made dynamic by allowing its format to change at different network domains. The same logical segment (BSID) can be represented as MPLS label in SR-MPLS domains, as SRv6-Policy in SRv6 domains, or as MPLS label again in destination SR-MPLS domains. This dynamic representation enables reliable end-to-end policy establishment while keeping individual node operations simple
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a packet forwarding method and system. a source node in a first SR-MPLS domain sends, based on an SR-Policy, a packet to a destination node in a second SR-MPLS domain, wherein an SR-Policy segment list of the packet includes a BSID, so that the packet passes through an SRv6 domain between the first SR-MPLS domain and the second SR-MPLS domain; After receiving the packet, the first border node replaces the BSID with the SRv6-Policy which destination address is the second border node, the second border node forwards the packet based on the SRv6-Policy, and after receiving the packet, the second border node decapsulates the IPv6 header and its extension header according to the behavior indication information in the SR-Policy, perform an MPLS label forwarding table lookup, so as to forward the packet within the second SR-MPLS domain, until the packet is forwarded to the destination node.