Generalized Multi-Homing for VPLS Resiliency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for providing resiliency in Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS) networks are fragmented and require separate configurations for access and Hierarchical VPLS (H-VPLS) resiliency, lacking a unified and efficient approach.
Innovation Solution
A generalized multi-homed site object is introduced, which supports multiple types of endpoints and services, using Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) for widespread applicability, and includes features like a designated forwarder election algorithm and blackhole avoidance schemes to provide a single solution for both access and H-VPLS resiliency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate solutions are used for access resiliency and H-VPLS resiliency, then each resiliency type can be provided independently, but the device complexity and configuration complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate access resiliency and H-VPLS resiliency solutions into a unified multi-homing framework. The system integrates MC-LAG, active/standby PWs, and other resiliency mechanisms under a single object model, allowing both access and H-VPLS resiliency to be configured and managed together rather than independently, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-homed site object is designed with universal functionality to support multiple types of endpoints and services simultaneously. It can handle Ethernet endpoints, pseudowire endpoints, and various resiliency mechanisms through a single unified interface, eliminating the need for separate configuration procedures for different resiliency types and reducing device complexity
2Reliability
If multiple separate resiliency solutions are implemented, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-homed site object provides a universal management interface that handles multiple resiliency mechanisms through a single unified object. Operators can configure and manage access resiliency, H-VPLS resiliency, and service resiliency together without needing to understand or manage separate complex procedures for each type, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining comprehensive resiliency coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated resiliency management where the multi-homed site object can automatically detect failures, select appropriate resiliency mechanisms, and switch between active and standby configurations without requiring manual intervention for each resiliency type, reducing operational complexity and improving ease of management
Data Source
AI summary
A generalized multi-homing capability is depicted and described herein. The generalized multi-homing capability supports use of a generalized multi-homed site object and associated generalized multi-homed site identifier for Virtual Private LAN Services (VPLS). For example, a generalized multi-homed site object may be generated using a multi-homed site object by associating an Ethernet endpoint object and a pseudowire endpoint object with the multi-homed site object. For example, a generalized multi-homed site object may be generated using a multi-homed site object by associating an Ethernet endpoint object with the multi-homed site object and associating one or more Ethernet-related objects with the Ethernet endpoint object. The generalized multi-homed site object is configured to support multiple types of endpoints, thereby enabling multi-homing to be supported for various types of devices in various types of networks (e.g., between devices of customer and service provider networks, between devices within a service provider network, between devices of different service provider networks, and the like) and for various types of services.