TRILL Remote Port Mirroring via Encapsulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network virtualization approaches, such as duplicating resources in computer networks, are costly and not scalable, and existing remote port mirroring techniques modify packet headers, making it difficult to diagnose network issues effectively.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a TRILL network with embedded VPN identifiers in the TRILL header for network virtualization and partitioning, and using encapsulation in remote port mirroring to preserve original packet headers for debugging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If network virtualization is implemented by duplicating resources, then network manageability is improved, but cost and scalability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of network resources through virtualization technology. Instead of duplicating physical resources, virtual representations are created that can be managed independently while sharing underlying physical infrastructure, thereby improving manageability without proportional cost increase
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables single physical resources to serve multiple virtual networks simultaneously. A single physical switch or server can be virtualized to provide services to multiple virtual networks, eliminating the need for dedicated physical resources per network and improving scalability
2Ease of operation
If existing remote port mirroring techniques modify packet headers, then packet routing is simplified, but network debugging capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the packet handling process into two distinct paths: one for forwarding (where headers may be modified) and one for mirroring (where original headers are preserved). This segmentation allows both simplified routing and effective debugging to coexist by separating their functional requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mirroring mechanism that acts as an intermediary, creating an exact copy of the original packet before any header modifications occur during forwarding. This intermediary copy preserves all original information for debugging purposes while allowing the main packet to be routed efficiently
Data Source
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AI summary
Some embodiments can determine an internal virtual network identifier and/or an internal policy identifier for a packet based on a port on which the packet was received and/or one or more fields in the packet. The system can then process and/or forward the packet based on the internal virtual network identifier and/or the internal policy identifier. Some embodiments can perform remote port mirroring. Some embodiments can map a first set of QoS bits in a packet to a second set of QoS bits for use in a Transparent Interconnection of Lots of Links (TRILL) packet which encapsulates the packet. Some embodiments can efficiently support multiple multicast trees and for performing network layer multicasting in TRILL networks. Some embodiments can flood packets on a per-virtual-network basis.