TRILL Forwarding via VLAN and Multicast MAC Lookup
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Solution Overview
Problem
In TRILL over VPLS networks, bandwidth is wasted due to the broadcasting and copying of TRILL data frames to all remote PEs, as local PEs do not differentiate between remote PEs that need to receive these frames, leading to inefficient network resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that acquire user VLANs or user multicast MAC addresses from protocol packets, store these in a forwarding table, and search for corresponding port identifiers to forward TRILL data frames only to the necessary PW ports, thereby avoiding unnecessary broadcasting and copying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If TRILL data frames are broadcast to all remote PEs through PW ports, then all remote PEs can receive the frames, but bandwidth is wasted on PEs that do not need to receive them
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the broadcast domain by creating separate forwarding paths for different VLANs and multicast groups. Instead of broadcasting to all PEs uniformly, the system divides the network into segments based on VLAN identifiers and multicast group memberships, allowing selective forwarding only to relevant PEs in each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing forwarding tables that map VLAN identifiers and multicast group addresses to specific PW port identifiers before data transmission occurs. This allows the system to determine the correct forwarding path in advance, eliminating the need for broadcast to all PEs and preventing bandwidth waste on unnecessary transmissions.
2Reliability
If TRILL data frames are copied and sent to all remote PEs, then no packet is lost, but network resource utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through protocol packets that carry information about which PEs are members of which VLANs and multicast groups. This feedback allows the system to dynamically update forwarding tables and make informed decisions about where to forward TRILL data frames, ensuring reliable delivery only to necessary destinations while optimizing network resource utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-populating forwarding tables with mappings between VLAN identifiers, multicast group addresses, and PW port identifiers. This preliminary configuration enables the system to forward packets directly to the correct PEs without unnecessary copying and broadcasting, thereby maintaining reliable packet delivery while significantly improving network resource utilization.
3Ease of operation
If broadcast forwarding is used for all TRILL data frames, then simplicity of operation is maintained, but bandwidth efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring forwarding tables with all necessary mapping information between VLAN identifiers, multicast group addresses, and PW port identifiers. This pre-computation simplifies the actual forwarding operation to a simple table lookup process, maintaining ease of operation while eliminating bandwidth waste through selective forwarding.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by automatically learning and updating forwarding tables based on received protocol packets that contain VLAN and multicast group membership information. This automated process eliminates the need for manual configuration while maintaining simple forwarding operations, and simultaneously optimizes bandwidth usage by ensuring packets are forwarded only to necessary destinations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for sending a Transparent Interconnection of Lots of Links (TRILL) data frame, comprising acquiring a user virtual local area network (VLAN) or a combination of a user VLAN and a user multicast medium access control (MAC) address in a first protocol packet, and a first port identifier; storing a correspondence there-between in a forwarding table; searching, according to the user VLAN or the combination of the user VLAN and the user multicast MAC address in a TRILL data frame received, the forwarding table for a second port identifier corresponding to the VLAN or the combination of the user VLAN and the user multicast MAC address in the TRILL data frame, and forwarding the TRILL data frame from a pseudo wire (PW) port corresponding to the second port identifier.