TRILL Packet Nickname Allocation for Multi-Tenant Service Distinction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for implementing fine-grained multi-tenancy in TRILL networks require cumbersome design and result in low processing efficiency due to additional format conversion and label mapping processes, especially when transitioning between PBB and TRILL packet formats.
Innovation Solution
A TRILL packet processing method where a routing bridge allocates and sends a nickname to a terminal, allowing the terminal to encapsulate TRILL packets with fine-grained labels for peer-to-peer forwarding, eliminating the need for additional format conversion and label mapping processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If PBB technology is used to realize fine grained distinguishing of multiple tenants, then multi-tenancy is achieved, but additional format conversion and label mapping processes are required causing cumbersome design and low processing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the multi-tenancy distinguishing function directly into the TRILL packet format by using the ingress RBridge's own nickname as the fine grained label. This eliminates the need for separate PBB encapsulation and format conversion processes, combining multiple functions into a single unified approach that achieves multi-tenancy without additional complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the multi-tenancy distinguishing function from the PBB layer and integrates it directly into the TRILL packet handling mechanism. By using the RBridge's nickname directly as the fine grained label in TRILL packets, the solution removes the need for separate label mapping and format conversion operations
2Adaptability or versatility
If PBB technology is used to realize fine grained distinguishing of multiple tenants, then multi-tenancy is achieved, but additional control plane mechanism is required for publish and update of mapping information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the mapping information function from the control plane and eliminates it entirely by using the RBridge's nickname directly as the fine grained label. This removes the need for publish and update operations, as the nickname is inherently available and does not require dynamic mapping configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The RBridge uses its own nickname to serve as the fine grained label for multi-tenancy distinguishing. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external control plane mechanisms to manage mapping information, as the system uses its own identifying information directly for the intended purpose
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional VLAN method is used to distinguish tenant services, then service distinction is achieved, but fine grained distinguishing requirement cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter used for service distinction from VLAN IDs to TRILL packet nicknames. By using the RBridge's nickname as the fine grained label within the TRILL packet header, the system achieves much finer granularity in service distinction compared to traditional VLAN methodology
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a nickname and a transparent interconnection of lots of links (TRILL) packet processing method and apparatus. The method includes: a routing bridge (RB) in a TRILL network allocating a nickname to a terminal attached to the RB, the nickname being used for forwarding a packet in the TRILL network; and the RB sending the allocated nickname to the terminal, the terminal encapsulating, according to the nickname, a TRILL packet which uses a fine grained label to distinguish a multi-tenant service. By means of the solution, the problems of cumbersome design and low processing efficiency for implementing multi-tenancy in the related art caused by additional format conversion and label mapping processes required for implementing fine grained distinguishing of multiple tenants are solved, thereby achieving an effect that fine grained distinguishing of multi-tenant services is implemented by TRILL nickname based peer-to-peer forwarding, saving the additional processes and improving the processing efficiency.