Stability Site for VPLS Multi-Homing Failover
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Solution Overview
Problem
In VPLS multi-homing networks, existing technologies face data loss due to convergence time and back door MAC learning issues during link failures and restoration, as they require establishing new LSI interfaces, leading to substantial traffic disruptions.
Innovation Solution
Establishing stability sites within the service provider network, communicatively coupled to PE routers via primary virtual circuits, which allows backup virtual circuits to be established without destroying primary circuits, thereby maintaining continuous data flow and reducing convergence time and MAC learning disruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a new VC is established based on the next lowest numbered site pair when the primary link breaks, then the broken primary link can be repaired, but substantial traffic loss occurs during the transition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-establishes backup virtual circuits in a standby state before primary link failures occur. These backup VCs are prepared in advance with lower site ID pairs, so when a primary link fails, the system can immediately switch to the pre-configured backup VC without needing to establish new connections, thereby preventing traffic loss while maintaining link redundancy.
2Reliability
If the VC automatically switches back to the initial lowest numbered site pair when the link is repaired, then the primary link is restored, but another loss of traffic occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains backup virtual circuits in a persistent standby state even after primary link restoration. When the primary link is repaired, the system does not immediately switch back but keeps the backup VC ready, allowing for a controlled transition that prevents traffic loss during the restoration process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous data transmission by maintaining active backup virtual circuits that can immediately take over if primary links fail. The backup VCs remain in a ready state, ensuring uninterrupted service during both failure and restoration scenarios, eliminating traffic loss during transitions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a new LSI interface is established due to outage or restoration of the same outage, then the network can adapt to the change, but data loss occurs due to convergence time and back door MAC learning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates backup virtual circuits that replicate the functionality of primary VCs using lower site ID pairs. These backup VCs serve as copies that can immediately replace primary VCs during failures without requiring new LSI interface establishment, thereby maintaining network adaptation while preventing data loss associated with convergence time and MAC learning.
Data Source
AI summary
Novel tools and techniques are described for mitigating data loss during failover in a VPLS multi-homed network. In one aspect, a primary link might be established between a lowest numbered provider edge (“PE”) router in the service provider network and a lowest numbered physical site at customer premises outside the service provider network. A stability site might be established within the service provider network, communicatively coupled to at least the lowest numbered PE router via a primary virtual circuit. The stability site might be designated as the lowest numbered virtual site, which might have a site ID number lower than the lowest numbered physical site. In response to the primary link failing or becoming broken, one or more backup virtual circuits might be established between a plurality of ingress PE routers and a plurality of egress PE routers in the service provider network, without destroying the primary virtual circuit.