Tunnel Hierarchy Structure for Network Traffic Forwarding
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Solution Overview
Problem
In computer networks, particularly those using Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS), it is challenging for operators to configure network systems to efficiently forward network traffic over tunnels of different types, as existing methods struggle to prioritize and manage traffic flows effectively across multiple tunnel types, leading to suboptimal performance and capacity utilization.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a tunnel hierarchy structure that assigns tunnel colors based on service colors, allowing network devices to pre-determine tunnel selection without inspecting individual packet headers, and utilize a tunnel hierarchy configuration to prioritize and balance traffic across tunnels based on their characteristics, such as bandwidth and latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network devices inspect individual packet headers to determine tunnel selection, then traffic forwarding flexibility is improved, but processing overhead and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing service-to-tunnel mappings before packet arrival. The network device maintains a mapping table that associates service identifiers with specific tunnel identifiers, allowing packets to be forwarded based on pre-computed routing decisions rather than real-time header inspection, thus reducing processing complexity while maintaining forwarding flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (mapping table with service identifiers and tunnel identifiers) that mediates between packet classification and tunnel selection. This intermediary layer abstracts the complex tunnel selection logic from individual packet processing, enabling efficient forwarding without direct packet header inspection for each decision
2Reliability
If multiple tunnel types are used for different services, then network performance is improved, but configuration and management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the tunnel management into distinct components: service identifiers, tunnel identifiers, and mapping relationships. Each tunnel type can be independently configured and managed through separate mapping entries, allowing operators to configure different tunnel types (MPLS, GRE, IPsec, etc.) for different services without managing a monolithic complex configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal mapping mechanism that works across multiple tunnel types and service types. The same mapping table structure and forwarding logic can handle various tunnel protocols (MPLS, GRE, IPsec, VXLAN) and service types (VPN, QoS, traffic engineering), providing a unified approach to managing diverse tunnel environments
3Productivity
If tunnel selection is determined dynamically per packet, then traffic optimization is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-determining tunnel selections through service-to-tunnel mappings before actual packet forwarding. The mapping table is populated in advance with optimal tunnel assignments based on service requirements, allowing packets to be forwarded using simple lookup operations rather than dynamic optimization calculations, thus eliminating processing time delays while maintaining traffic optimization
Data Source
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AI summary
This disclosure is related to devices, systems, and techniques for controlling a flow of network traffic between two or more devices. For example, a network device includes a control unit, a forwarding unit including a forwarding manager including a server configured to store a tunnel hierarchy structure, and a packet processor. The packet processor is configured to receive, via an interface card of a set of interface cards, a packet including a packet header. The forwarding manager is configured to parse the packet header in order to identify a service corresponding to the packet, wherein the service is associated with a service color, identify, based on the tunnel hierarchy structure, a set of tunnels, wherein each tunnel of the set of tunnels is associated with a tunnel color, and determine whether at least one tunnel of a set of tunnels associated with the tunnel color is in an online state.