Multi-protocol label switching rings
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- assigning a ring identifier to a multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) ring and assigning an index to each of a plurality of routers that form the MPLS ring in a ring network, wherein the index indicates a position around the MPLS ring for the respective router;
outputting, from each of the routers, messages announcing membership in the MPLS ring and the indexed position around the ring for the respective router;
selecting, at each of the routers, a downstream neighbor and an upstream neighbor for the MPLS ring based on the index of each of the routers;
establishing, with the plurality of routers, the 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; 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 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 a bidirectional, multipoint-to-point (MP2P) LSP 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. Separate protection paths, bypass LSPs, detours or loop-free alternatives need not be signaled.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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assigning a ring identifier to a multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) ring and assigning an index to each of a plurality of routers that form the MPLS ring in a ring network, wherein the index indicates a position around the MPLS ring for the respective router; outputting, from each of the routers, messages announcing membership in the MPLS ring and the indexed position around the ring for the respective router; selecting, at each of the routers, a downstream neighbor and an upstream neighbor for the MPLS ring based on the index of each of the routers; establishing, with the plurality of routers, the 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; 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, 9, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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10. 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 message announcing membership in a multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) ring and an indexed position of the MPLS ring for the router, wherein the processor is configured to select a downstream neighbor and an upstream neighbor for the MPLS ring based on respective indexes of the routers and to establish a plurality of ring label switched paths (LSPs) for the MPLS ring, 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; and a forwarding component to forward network traffic as MPLS packets around the ring network in accordance with the ring LSPs. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A computer-readable storage device storing instructions that cause a processor to:
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output a routing protocol message announcing membership in a multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) ring and an indexed position of the MPLS ring; selecting a downstream neighbor and an upstream neighbor for the MPLS ring based on an index specified within a respective routing protocol message received from each of a plurality of routers connected as a ring network; output a plurality of messages in accordance with a label distribution protocol to establish a plurality of ring label switched paths (LSPs) for the MPLS ring, 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. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification