VLAN Bridge E-Tree Isolation VPLS Scalability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In MPLS/VPLS networks, ensuring valid isolation between Ethernet Tree (E-Tree) leaf nodes while maintaining scalability is a critical challenge, as current implementations fail to guarantee effective isolation.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a VLAN bridge that imports Ethernet frames into either a root VLAN or a leaf VLAN based on the node type, sending them to a Virtual Switch Instance (VSI) connected by both root and leaf VLANs, ensuring isolation and scalability by using pseudowires for remote transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple VPLS instances are used to ensure isolation between E-Tree leaf nodes, then isolation reliability is improved, but device complexity and scalability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the VLAN space into two distinct segments: root VLANs for root nodes and leaf VLANs for leaf nodes. This segmentation allows the system to maintain isolation between leaf nodes while using a single VPLS instance, avoiding the need to create multiple VPLS instances for each leaf node pair.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different VLAN characteristics to different node types. Root nodes are associated with root VLANs that have specific forwarding behaviors, while leaf nodes are associated with leaf VLANs that enforce isolation. This localized VLAN quality assignment enables effective isolation within a single VPLS instance.
2Reliability
If multiple VPLS instances are deployed to guarantee leaf node isolation, then isolation effectiveness is improved, but scalability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the single VPLS instance universal by enabling it to handle both root VLAN traffic and leaf VLAN traffic simultaneously. The VPLS instance is configured with multiple root VLANs and multiple leaf VLANs, allowing it to serve multiple E-Tree services and accommodate dynamic addition of root and leaf nodes without requiring new VPLS instances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic configurability to the VPLS instance, allowing the set of root VLANs and leaf VLANs to be dynamically adjusted as nodes are added or removed from the E-Tree service. This dynamic capability enables the system to scale flexibly while maintaining isolation guarantees.
3Adaptability or versatility
If asymmetric VLAN technology is used to implement E-Tree services, then service functionality is improved, but isolation between leaf nodes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains the asymmetric VLAN technology for implementing E-Tree services, with root nodes using root VLANs and leaf nodes using leaf VLANs. However, it enhances this asymmetric structure by configuring the VLAN bridge to enforce strict forwarding rules: frames from leaf VLANs are only forwarded to root VLANs, and frames from root VLANs are forwarded to all leaf VLANs except those originating from the same leaf node, thereby achieving both service functionality and leaf node isolation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to the field of network communication, and in particular, to a method for sending Ethernet frames in an Ethernet Tree service and a provider edge device. The method includes: receiving, by a VLAN bridge, Ethernet frames sent by a root node or a leaf node; importing, by the VLAN bridge, the Ethernet frames into a root VLAN or a leaf VLAN according to the type of the node sending the Ethernet frames, and sending the Ethernet frames to a same virtual switch instance VSI; and sending, by the VSI, the Ethernet frames to a corresponding remote PE device by a pseudowire. Using the solution provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure, a VLAN is associated with the type of the node sending the Ethernet frames, thereby achieving effective isolation between the E-Tree leaf nodes and ensuring the original scalability of VPLS.