VXLAN EVPN Provider Edge Packet Duplication Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
In networks using VXLAN and EVPN, unicast replication for multi-destination traffic leads to transient packet duplication at customer edges due to inability to distinguish between known unicast and replicated packets, resulting in reduced performance and split-horizon filtering inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an indication, such as an MPLS label or dedicated unicast IP address, within packets to identify broadcast, unknown unicast, and multicast traffic, allowing receiving provider edges to filter out duplicate packets and ensure only one copy is forwarded to the customer edge, thereby eliminating transient packet duplication and enhancing split-horizon filtering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If unicast replication is used for multi-destination traffic in VXLAN/EVPN networks, then broadcast/unknown unicast/multicast traffic can be forwarded to multiple destinations, but transient packet duplication occurs at customer edges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (indication field in packet header or dedicated unicast IP address) that mediates between the replication function and the filtering function. This intermediary element allows receiving PEs to identify replicated packets and apply appropriate filtering, thereby eliminating packet duplication while preserving multi-destination forwarding capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through the indication field that provides information about packet type to receiving PEs. This feedback mechanism enables receiving PEs to distinguish between known unicast and replicated packets, allowing them to filter duplicates while maintaining correct packet delivery
2Adaptability or versatility
If unicast replication is used for multi-destination traffic, then traffic can be forwarded to multiple destinations, but split-horizon filtering performance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The indication field acts as an intermediary that carries split-horizon filtering information through the packet header. This allows receiving PEs to efficiently identify and filter packets based on split-horizon rules without complex processing, thereby maintaining filtering efficiency while supporting multi-destination forwarding
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the packet header parameters by adding an indication field or using dedicated unicast IP addresses. This parameter change enables receiving PEs to quickly identify packet types and apply split-horizon filtering more efficiently, improving filtering performance while maintaining forwarding capability
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining, at a first provider edge (PE) included a plurality of PEs multi-homed to a first customer edge (CE), traffic intended for the first CE, wherein the traffic includes a first indication, the first indication being configured to identify the traffic as flood traffic. A forwarding PE included in the plurality of PEs suitable to use to forward the traffic to the first CE is identified based on identifying traffic as the flood traffic. The method also includes determining whether the first PE is the forwarding PE, and providing the traffic to the first CE using the first PE when it is determined that the first PE is the forwarding PE. When it is determined that the first PE is not the forwarding PE, the traffic is filtered using the first PE.