Nortel Networks Corporation

Rockstar Bidco, LP

Can C Aysan

Matthew Yuen

Greg A Wilbur

Ru C Wadasinghe

Multiple service label types may be used in a given network element to optimize scalability of the data plane, minimize overhead associated with service label management, and allow new services to be offered. Service label management may be done in a dynamic manner so that service labels may be selected for routes in a dynamic fashion as the network changes. VPNs handled by the network element may have different types of service labels, and different routes within a particular VPN may be allocated different service label types. Service label requests may be stored on the data plane to allow a service label request database to be restored from the data plane upon a control plane failure, so that new service labels are not required to be allocated after a control plane failure.

Method and apparatus for restoring service label information

There is provided a configuration management system for a network device, said network device including one or more sub-systems for implementing network services, said system comprising a configuration management interface in communication with an external configuration management agent; a sub-system interface in communication with said one or more sub-systems; a control entity for establishing configuration elements based on a previously stored template, said template including a set of defined values; and a subscription sub-system for sending a specification for implementing a service determined by each configuration element to said sub-system interface; wherein when one of said set of defined values is updated, said control entity updates all of said configuration elements based on said previously stored template.

Active configuration templating

Method and apparatus for adaptive service label management

A tunneling scheme includes the creation of tunnels having a source address and potentially multiple destination addresses. Each tunnel endpoint is divided into two sub-endpoints, where one sub-endpoint has a public network address and the other sub-endpoint has a private network address. Also included in the tunneling scheme is a static Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) table. The static ARP table contains information on virtual private network membership. More particularly, the static ARP table provides address resolution between public network addresses and private network addresses.

Tunneling scheme optimized for use in virtual private networks

Deployment of a hub-and-spoke (HaSP) topology virtual private network (VPN) may be facilitated by implementing a bi-directional VRF on a hub PE and using the hub PE as a hub-reflector. Route distinguishers and route targets may be used to differentiate traffic originating on the spokes from traffic originating on the hub. Using a bi-directional VRF allows a HaSP VPN to be created using a single link between the hub CE and hub PE. Allowing the hub CE to control spoke route distribution, and differentiating the direction of the flow by route target and route designator, enables the hub to control traffic between the spokes. Configuring the hub PE as a route reflector allows communication between the spokes to take place without having the CE hub inspect every piece of traffic. Optionally, other services may be provided by the hub PE as well, such as NAT, firewall, and AAA services.

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Nepean, Canada

Can C Aysan