Nortel Networks Corporation

Rockstar Consortium US LP

Rpx Clearinghouse LLC

Rockstar Bidco, LP

Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy

Hamid Ould-Brahim

Donald Fedyk

Jeffrey Sugimoto

Elizabeth Hache

Gregory Wright

Peter J Ashwood-Smith

Peter Ashwood Smith

Bilel N Jamoussi

Ehsan Rezaaifar

Gregory V Wright

Bryan Gleeson

Ebrahim Ghazisaeedi

Rajesh Kumar Paida

The present disclosure discloses improvements in computer performance for supporting traffic steering based on a traffic steering capability. The traffic steering capability may be configured to support steering of traffic of a traffic flow, to be supported by a provider core network, along an end-to-end path between a source ingress provider edge router of the provider core network and a destination outside of the provider core network based on determination of the end-to-end path for the traffic flow (e.g., based on end-to-end path performance measurement information that includes internal path performance measurement information of potential internal paths of the provider core network and external path performance measurement information of potential external paths outside of the provider core network) and programming of the provider core network to support steering of the traffic of the traffic flow onto the end-to-end path for the traffic flow (e.g., based on various types of network programming capabilities).

Traffic steering

A method of establishing a multi-segment pseudowire (MS-PW) across domains executing different pseudowire signaling protocols augments a Label Distribution Protocol (LDP) label message to include a MS-PW Type-Length-Value (TLV). The MS-PW TLV carries pseudowire signal protocol information associated with signaling protocols of other segments of the MS-PW. As a result, a multi-segment pseudowire can be extended between domains that execute different pseudowire signaling protocols.

Method for establishing multi segment pseudowire across domains having different pseudowire signaling protocol

An architecture for providing service mediation in a network having a Layer-2 domain and an MPLS domain includes at least one Layer-2 provider edge device in communication with a first customer site; at least one Layer-2 edge device in communication with the Layer-2 provider edge device; at least one MPLS mediation edge device in communication with the Layer-2 edge device; and at least one MPLS provider edge device in communication with both the MPLS mediation edge device and a second customer site. An end-to-end connection is established using native Layer-2 signaling, if any, in the Layer-2 domain and PWE3 signaling protocols in the MPLS domain. The MPLS mediation edge device resolves associations between Layer-2 edge devices and MPLS provider edge devices. The service is 'mediated' in the sense that native Layer-2 signaling is terminated at the MME, and a new domain, i.e., pseudowire, is established across the MPLS domain.

Layer-2 to MPLS service mediation architecture

Described are a network, computer program product, and method of distributing routing information for a virtual private network (VPN) application through a packet-switched network (PSN) having fully meshed provider edge (PE) routers through Provider Backbone Bridge (PBB) tunnels. A PE router is configured to participate in a VPN and to run a BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) as an auto-discovery process for finding one or more other PE routers participating in the VPN. The VPN is associated with a PBB tunnel. A service instance identifier (I-SID) is assigned to the VPN. The PE router advertises membership in the VPN by including the I-SID assigned to the VPN in a BGP message issued during the auto-discovery process.

Border gateway protocol extended community attribute for layer-2 and layer-3 virtual private networks

A Layer-2 virtual private network arrangement and method is disclosed for switched virtual circuits. The switched virtual circuit Layer-2 VPN includes logical ports of two types, customer and provider, and port information tables to relate both types which provides simplified provisioning and a degree of customer autonomy regarding establishing virtual connections without the assistance of the service provider across the service provider's network. The switched virtual circuit Layer-2 VPN is particularly useful for overcoming the need for customers to store and manipulate provider addresses with respect to closed user groups as is done in existing Layer-2 VPNs known in the art.

SVC-L2 VPNs: flexible on demand switched MPLS/IP layer-2 VPNs for ethernet SVC, ATM and frame relay

An apparatus and a method for layer-2 and layer-3 VPN discovery are disclosed. The apparatus is incorporated in a network, and the network includes a first carrier network. The first carrier network includes at least two layer-1 provider edge devices. Layer-1 VPN information is created within the first carrier network. BGP next hop information passes within the first carrier network. The BGP next hop information is for a selected one of the following: a layer-2 VPN-based provider edge device, a layer-3 VPN-based provider edge device, and a layer-2 and layer-3 VPN-based provider edge device. The network also includes a second carrier network within which the BGP next hop information is used for VPN discovery.

Apparatus and method for layer-2 and layer-3 VPN discovery

A technique for recovering MPLS or IP-based pseudo-wires or layer-2 VPNs to a backup site using a backup pseudo-wire is provided. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized by a mechanism that allows one end of the original pseudo-wire to dynamically and automatically establish a backup pseudo-wire to an alternate destination without requiring an operator intervention or manual configuration of alternate destinations. This mechanism is triggered when one end of an emulated service experiences a failure such as a node failure, a link failure, and the like, or an intentional shut-down. A VPN auto-discovery mechanism is employed to inform all of the potential attachment circuits of the existence of the backup destinations that can be used in case of failure situations.

MPLS/IP pseudo-wire and layer-2 virtual private network resiliency

An architecture for providing service mediation in a network having a Layer-2 domain and an MPLS domain includes at least one Layer-2 provider edge device in communication with a first customer site; at least one Layer-2 edge device in communication with the Layer-2 provider edge device; at least one MPLS mediation edge device in communication with the Layer-2 edge device; and at least: one MPLS provider edge device in communication with both the MPLS mediation edge device and a second customer site. An end-to-end connection is established using native Layer-2 signaling, if any, in the Layer-2 domain and PWE3 signaling protocols in the MPLS domain. The MPLS mediation edge device resolves associations between Layer-2 edge devices and MPLS provider edge devices. The service is 'mediated' in the sense that native Layer-2 signaling is terminated at the MME, and a new domain, i.e., pseudowire, is established across the MPLS domain.

Described are a network device and method for distributing routing information for a virtual private network (VPN) application through a packet-switched network (PSN) from a first provider edge (PE) router to a second provider edge (PE) router. An Ethernet switched path (e.g., a Provider Backbone Transport (PBT) tunnel) is established between the first and second PE routers. The first PE router is at a source end of the Ethernet switched path and the second PE router is at a destination end of the Ethernet switched path. A BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) message is sent from the first PE router to the second PE router. The BGP message contains routing information for a VPN route in a VPN supported by the PSN. An association between the VPN route in the VPN and the Ethernet switched path is determined from the routing information in the BGP message.

Border gateway protocol procedures for multi-protocol label switching and layer-2 virtual private networks using Ethernet-based tunnels

Described are a network, network device, and method for a method of distributing routing information for a virtual private network (VPN) application through a packet-switched network (PSN) having fully meshed provider edge (PE) routers through Provider Backbone Bridge (PBB) tunnels. Each PE router is configured to support at least one VPN and to run a BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) as an auto-discovery process for finding one or more other PE routers attached to the same VPN. A given VPN is associated with a PBB tunnel. A service instance identifier (I-SID), as defined in IEEE 802.1, is assigned to the VPN. Each PE router advertises membership in the VPN by including the I-SID assigned to the VPN in a BGP message issued during the auto-discovery process.

Border gateway protocol extended community attribute for layer-2 and layer-3 virtual private networks using 802.1ah-based tunnels

A generalized virtual router is disclosed. A routing and switching apparatus includes a switching fabric and a matrix of switching and routing elements. At least some of the elements are interconnected by the switching fabric. A router control provides control for the switching fabric. The apparatus has both cross-connect and routing functionality.

Generalized virtual router

A method for verifying full mesh status in a network is disclosed. The network includes endpoint entities in full mesh configuration. The method includes a step of maintaining a first value in the endpoint entities. The first value is related to counting of network endpoint entities. Another step in the method is maintaining a second value in the endpoint entities. The second value is related to counting non-operational transmission paths before a point in time. An additional step in the method is discovering an additional value related to counting non-operational transmission paths after the point in time. Yet another step in the method is comparing the additional value with the first value and the second value.

Growing community of inventors

Kanata, Canada

Hamid Ould-Brahim