SRv6 Tunnels for Metropolitan Area and Data Center Network Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing metropolitan area networks and data center networks operate independently, leading to complex network transmission processes and difficult management when exchanging data between them.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of IPv6 segment routing (SRv6) technology to establish tunnels between metropolitan area networks and data center networks, enabling end-to-end communication by generating SRv6 VPN segment identifiers and updating SRv6 policies dynamically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If MPLS and VXLAN protocols are used for independent network operations, then network functionality is maintained, but network transmission complexity increases and management becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges MPLS and VXLAN networks into a unified SRv6 network by establishing SRv6 tunnels between border nodes of different networks. This integration allows single-protocol operation across previously independent networks, reducing transmission complexity while maintaining the functional capabilities of both original networks through protocol translation and tunneling mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements SRv6 as a universal protocol that can handle both traditional MPLS and VXLAN traffic types. By making the network infrastructure multi-functional and protocol-agnostic at the transport layer, the system can carry different types of traffic over a single SRv6 backbone, simplifying network architecture and management while preserving the specific functionalities of original network types.
2Adaptability or versatility
If protocol conversion is performed through border nodes, then data intercommunication is enabled, but management difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces SRv6 border nodes as intermediary devices that perform protocol conversion between MPLS/VXLAN networks and the SRv6 backbone. These border nodes act as mediators that translate traffic from different protocols into SRv6 format for backbone transmission, enabling intercommunication while centralizing management functions at the border nodes rather than requiring complex coordination across the entire network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network into core SRv6 backbone nodes and border conversion nodes. This segmentation allows the majority of the network to operate with simplified SRv6 protocols while protocol conversion functionality is isolated to specific border nodes. This division separates management concerns, making the overall system easier to manage by localizing complexity to specific boundary elements rather than distributing it throughout the entire network.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide a data transmission method and apparatus, and relate to the communications field. In the method, an SRv6 tunnel is established between a first network and a second network based on an SRv6 VPN SID, so that a first device and a second device can transmit data through the SRv6 tunnel, and forward a data packet to a VNF by using the second device. In this way, an end-to-end tunnel between the first device and the VNF, that is, between the first network and a cloud, is established, and communication is performed based on the end-to-end tunnel, thereby effectively decreasing complexity and management difficulty during data transmission.