Pseudowire Labeling for VPLS Multi-Path Resource Utilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Virtual Private Local Area Network (VPLS) systems face challenges in utilizing multiple connections efficiently, particularly for multi-homed customer edge devices, leading to underutilization of resources and increased processing requirements for MAC address management and loop avoidance.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a pseudowire mechanism in provider edge devices to differentiate data frames from single-homed and multi-homed customer edge devices, using distinct pseudowire labels and maintaining site-based MAC tables to optimize link aggregation and avoid loops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional VPLS systems treat all CE devices uniformly without differentiation, then implementation is simpler, but resource utilization is underutilized and processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the treatment of CE devices based on their homing status. Single-homed CE devices receive a first pseudowire label while multi-homed CE devices receive a second pseudowire label. This localized differentiation allows the system to optimize resource utilization for each device type without requiring complex processing for all devices uniformly, thereby improving productivity while managing device complexity.
2Productivity
If multiple connections are aggregated for multi-homed CE devices, then resource utilization improves, but loop avoidance and MAC address management become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces pseudowire labels as an intermediary mechanism to manage multi-homed CE devices. By using distinct pseudowire labels (first pseudowire label for single-homed, second pseudowire label for multi-homed) to identify and differentiate device types, the system enables efficient link aggregation while simplifying MAC address management. The pseudowire label acts as a mediator that carries information about the CE device's homing status, allowing the network to handle aggregated connections without increasing MAC address management complexity.
3Reliability
If distinct pseudowire labels are used for single-homed and multi-homed CE devices, then resource utilization and loop prevention improve, but label management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing different values of the pseudowire label parameter to distinguish between single-homed and multi-homed CE devices. The system changes the pseudowire label parameter from a single unified label to two distinct labels (first pseudowire label and second pseudowire label) based on the CE device's homing status. This parameter differentiation enables reliable loop prevention while keeping label management straightforward, as the labels are assigned based on a clear criterion (homing status) rather than requiring complex management procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A provider edge device, associated with a virtual private local area network service (VPLS) system, includes a memory to store instructions to implement a pseudowire mechanism to receive a first data frame from a source customer edge (CE) device associated with the VPLS system, incorporate the first data frame into a first VPLS packet, determine whether the source CE device is a single-homed CE device or a multi-homed CE device, and incorporate, into the first VPLS packet, a first pseudowire label, if the source CE device is a single-homed CE device, and incorporate, into the first VPLS packet, a second pseudowire label, different from the first pseudowire label, if the source CE device is a multi-homed CE device; and a processor to execute the instructions.