Label distribution protocol (LDP) signaled multi-protocol label switching rings
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- outputting, with a plurality of routers connected to form a ring network, a plurality of Label Distribution Protocol messages in accordance with the Label Distribution Protocol (LDP) to establish a multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) ring having a plurality of ring label switched paths (LSPs), each of the ring LSPs configured to transport MPLS packets around the ring network to a different one of the routers operating as an egress router for the respective ring LSP, wherein each of the ring LSPs comprises a multipoint-to-point (MP2P) LSP for which any of the routers within the ring network can operate as an ingress to source packet traffic into the ring LSP for transport to the respective egress router for the ring LSP, and wherein, for each of the ring LSPs, each of the LDP messages output by each of the routers comprises an LDP label mapping message that includes a label binding specifying one or more labels associated with the ring LSP, an identifier of the MPLS ring and an identifier for the respective one of the plurality of routers that operates as the egress for the ring LSP; and
forwarding network traffic as MPLS packets around the ring network in accordance with the ring LSPs.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Techniques are described for specifying and constructing multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) rings. Routers may signal membership within MPLS rings and automatically establish ring-based label switch paths (LSPs) as components of the MPLS rings for packet transport within ring networks. In one example, a router includes a processor configured to output Label Distribution Protocol (LDP) messages, as described herein, to establish an MPLS ring having a plurality of ring LSPs. Each of the ring LSPs is configured to transport MPLS packets around the ring network to a different one of the routers operating as an egress router for the respective ring LSP. Moreover, each of the ring LSPs comprises two counter-rotating multipoint-to-point (MP2P) LSPs for which any of the routers can operate as an ingress to source packet traffic into the ring LSP for transport to the respective egress router for the ring LSP.
61 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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outputting, with a plurality of routers connected to form a ring network, a plurality of Label Distribution Protocol messages in accordance with the Label Distribution Protocol (LDP) to establish a multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) ring having a plurality of ring label switched paths (LSPs), each of the ring LSPs configured to transport MPLS packets around the ring network to a different one of the routers operating as an egress router for the respective ring LSP, wherein each of the ring LSPs comprises a multipoint-to-point (MP2P) LSP for which any of the routers within the ring network can operate as an ingress to source packet traffic into the ring LSP for transport to the respective egress router for the ring LSP, and wherein, for each of the ring LSPs, each of the LDP messages output by each of the routers comprises an LDP label mapping message that includes a label binding specifying one or more labels associated with the ring LSP, an identifier of the MPLS ring and an identifier for the respective one of the plurality of routers that operates as the egress for the ring LSP; and forwarding network traffic as MPLS packets around the ring network in accordance with the ring LSPs. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A router comprising:
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a plurality of physical interfaces interconnecting the router as one of a plurality of routers forming a ring network; a processor configured to output a plurality of Label Distribution Protocol messages in accordance with the Label Distribution Protocol LDP to signal a multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) ring having a plurality of ring label switched paths (LSPs), each of the ring LSPs configured to transport MPLS packets around the ring network to a different one of the routers operating as an egress router for the respective ring LSP, wherein each of the ring LSPs comprises a multipoint-to-point (MP2P) LSP for which any of the routers within the ring network can operate as an ingress to source packet traffic into the ring LSP for transport to the respective egress router for the ring LSP, and wherein, for each of the ring LSPs, each of the LDP messages comprises an LDP label mapping message that includes a label binding specifying one or more labels associated with the ring LSP, an identifier of the MPLS ring and an identifier for the respective one of the plurality of routers that operates as the egress for the ring LSP; and a forwarding component to forward network traffic as MPLS packets around the ring network in accordance with the ring LSPs. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A computer-readable storage device storing instructions that cause a processor to:
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output a plurality of Label Distribution Protocol (LDP) messages in accordance with the Label Distribution Protocol to establish, a multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) ring having a plurality of ring label switched paths (LSPs) around the ring network, wherein each of the ring LSPs is configured to transport MPLS packets around the ring network to a different one of the routers operating as an egress router for the respective ring LSP, wherein each of the ring LSPs comprises a multipoint-to-point (MP2P) LSP for which any of the routers within the ring network can operate as an ingress to source packet traffic into the ring LSP for transport to the respective egress router for the ring LSP, and wherein, for each of the ring LSPs, each of the LDP messages comprises an LDP label mapping message that includes a label binding specifying one or more labels associated with the ring LSP, an identifier of the MPLS ring and an identifier for the respective one of the plurality of routers that operates as the egress for the ring LSP. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification