SRv6 Protection Switching with Tail-Node Path State Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Segment Routing (SR) networks face complexity and high processing requirements due to intermediate nodes maintaining large amounts of path state and configuration information for protection switching, making operation and maintenance difficult.
Innovation Solution
A protection switching method for SRv6 networks that allows intermediate nodes to perform path switching without maintaining extensive path state information by using protection switching messages carried in SRv6 packets, enabling efficient switching at the tail node based on path identifiers and indication information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If TI-LFA protection technology is used to implement fast reroute protection, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to intermediate nodes maintaining large amounts of path state information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the protection switching control function from intermediate nodes and concentrates it at the tail node. The head node sends protection switching requests directly to the tail node, which then coordinates the switching action. This removes the burden of maintaining path state information from intermediate nodes while preserving fast reroute protection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a protection switching request message as an intermediary carrier that transports switching control information from the head node to the tail node. This message includes path identification information and switching instructions, enabling coordinated protection switching without requiring intermediate nodes to maintain complex path state.
2Reliability
If TI-LFA protection technology is used to determine loop-free alternate next-hop nodes, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complex configuration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the protection path calculation and configuration complexity from intermediate nodes and centralizes it at the tail node. The tail node receives protection switching requests with pre-calculated path information from the head node, eliminating the need for intermediate nodes to maintain complex configuration data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the head node prepare and send protection switching request messages that contain pre-calculated path identification information before faults occur. This allows the tail node to execute switching decisions without requiring intermediate nodes to have pre-configured complex path state information.
3Reliability
If protection paths are calculated and installed on each intermediate node, then reliability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to high processing capabilities required at intermediate nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the protection switching control processing from intermediate nodes and concentrates it at the tail node. Intermediate nodes simply forward protection switching request messages without performing complex path calculations or state maintenance, significantly reducing their processing requirements while maintaining end-to-end protection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a protection switching request message as an intermediary that carries all necessary path identification and switching control information from the head node to the tail node. This message-based approach eliminates the need for intermediate nodes to maintain and process complex path state information, reducing their data processing burden.
Data Source
AI summary
A protection switching method provides a manner of transferring a protection switching message on an SRv6 data plane. In this manner, a first node can switch, after a fault occurs on an end-to-end transmission path of forward service traffic of the first node, a transmission path of the forward service traffic of the first node to another end-to-end transmission path, and send the forward service traffic through the transmission path after switching. In this manner, the first node only needs to store information about the another transmission path, and an intermediate node does not need to maintain a large amount of path state information and path configuration information.