VLAN Mapping Selection for E-Tree Service Maintenance

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing technology for providing Ethernet tree (E-Tree) services using Virtual Private Local Area Network (VPLS) results in four different VLAN identifiers on a bidirectional pseudo wire (PW), making maintenance and detection difficult due to independent VLAN spaces used by each Provider Edge (PE) device.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for selecting a network device based on VLAN mapping capability identifiers, ensuring VLAN mapping is executed on the same PE for both forward and reverse directions, reducing VLAN identifiers to two on a bidirectional PW, facilitating consistent and easier maintenance and detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If each PE device uses an independent VLAN space, then network scalability is improved, but the number of VLAN identifiers on a bidirectional PW increases to four, making maintenance and detection difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork scalabilityVSAvoidVLAN identifier management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the VLAN mapping function from both PE devices and concentrates it on a single PE device (the PE with the highest bridge ID). This eliminates the need for four different VLAN identifiers on the bidirectional PW, as only one PE performs VLAN translation while the other passes through VLAN tags unchanged. The solution maintains independent VLAN spaces for scalability while reducing identifier complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces asymmetric VLAN mapping where only one PE device (determined by highest bridge ID) performs VLAN translation, while the other PE device does not. This asymmetric approach resolves the symmetry problem where both devices independently mapped VLANs, creating four different identifiers. The asymmetric design maintains scalability while simplifying identifier management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Adaptability or versatility

If VLAN mapping is performed on both PE devices, then independent VLAN spaces are maintained, but four different VLAN identifiers appear on the bidirectional PW, increasing maintenance difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent VLAN spaceVSAvoidservice maintenance ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the VLAN mapping function from both PE devices and concentrates it on a single PE device (the PE with the highest bridge ID). This eliminates the need for four different VLAN identifiers on the bidirectional PW, as only one PE performs VLAN translation while the other passes through VLAN tags unchanged. The solution maintains independent VLAN spaces for scalability while reducing identifier complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If four different VLAN identifiers are used on a bidirectional PW, then independent VLAN spaces are preserved, but detection and measurement of E-Tree services becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveVLAN space independenceVSAvoidservice detection difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the VLAN mapping function from both PE devices and concentrates it on a single PE device (the PE with the highest bridge ID). This eliminates the need for four different VLAN identifiers on the bidirectional PW, as only one PE performs VLAN translation while the other passes through VLAN tags unchanged. The solution maintains independent VLAN spaces for scalability while reducing identifier complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS11184193B2Method, apparatus, and system for selecting network device

Publication Date: 2021.11.23 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

An apparatus includes a program instructing hardware and a computer readable storage medium coupled to the hardware and storing programming instructions for execution by the hardware. The programming instructions instruct the hardware to: receive a network device selection message sent by a first network device, where the network device selection message contains a virtual local area network (VLAN) mapping capability identifier of the first network device and a device identifier of the first network device; when determining that both the apparatus and the first network device have VLAN mapping capability according to local VLAN mapping capability and the VLAN mapping capability identifier of the first network device, select a network device for executing VLAN mapping according to sizes or a sequence of a local device identifier and the device identifier of the first network device.