Layer 2 Layer 3 Integrated Forwarding Table for VPN Direct Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing VPN forwarding apparatuses do not allow communication by an extranet direct route using a layer 2-layer 3-integrated forwarding table, which limits processing speed and power efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A forwarding apparatus and method that include multiple VPN routing and forwarding tables (VRFs) with a layer 2-layer 3-integrated forwarding table, a route introducer, an address resolving module, and a forwarding destination identification module to enable communication by an extranet direct route by introducing communication routes and resolving layer 3 to layer 2 address correlations, allowing direct routing between VRFs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a layer 2-layer 3-integrated forwarding table is used, then processing speed is improved and power consumption is reduced, but extranet direct route communication is not enabled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidextranet direct route communication capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The forwarding table is segmented into multiple virtual forwarding tables (VFTs), each associated with a specific VRF. This segmentation allows the system to maintain the efficiency of integrated forwarding tables while enabling extranet direct route communication by selecting the appropriate VFT based on the packet's VRF context

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension to the forwarding table structure by adding VRF identification and VFT selection mechanisms. This dimensional expansion allows the system to differentiate between intranet and extranet routing contexts, enabling direct route communication while maintaining processing efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If multiple VRFs with individual routing tables are used, then VPN forwarding functions are ensured, but extranet communication requires complex route exchange between VRFs

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveVPN forwarding functionVSAvoidroute exchange complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a VFT selection module as an intermediary between the routing tables and forwarding tables. This intermediary automatically selects the appropriate virtual forwarding table based on the packet's VRF context, eliminating the need for complex manual route exchange configurations between VRFs while maintaining reliable VPN forwarding functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If two separate searches (routing table and correspondence table) are performed, then forwarding accuracy is maintained, but processing speed is reduced and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforwarding accuracyVSAvoidprocessing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the routing table and correspondence table into a single layer 2-layer 3-integrated forwarding table, combining the forwarding accuracy of separate tables with the processing efficiency of a unified structure. The integrated table maintains all necessary forwarding information in one location, eliminating the need for sequential searches while preserving forwarding precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8379649B2Arrangements for constructing a virtual private network (VPN) using forwarding techniques

Publication Date: 2013.02.19 ALAXALA NETWORKS

AI summary

An extranet direct route allowing extranet forwarding to a directly linked device is written in a layer 2-layer 3-integrated forwarding table. The procedure of introducing a layer 3 address-to-layer 2 address correspondence relation table entry into the layer 2-layer 3-integrated forwarding table searches the layer 2-layer 3-integrated forwarding table with a layer 3 address of the correspondence relation table entry and a layer 3 interface as search keys to retrieve any forwarding entry relating to an extranet direct route as a forwarding destination. The procedure subsequently extracts a VRF of each retrieved forwarding entry and introduces the correspondence relation table entry for the extracted VRF into the layer 2-layer 3-integrated forwarding table.