Future Wei Technologies, Inc.

Huawei Technologies Co., Limited

Qianglin Quintin Zhao

Katherine Zhao

Huaimo Chen

Ying Chen

Hua Autumn Liu

Renwei Li

Tao Zhou

Lin Han

Bisong Tao

Raveendra Torvi

Lujun Wan

Embodiments relate generally to systems and methods for transitioning a system from a tradition network to a Software Defined Network (SDN) enabled network. In some embodiments, the systems and methods may comprise the use of a Path Computation Element (PCE) as a central controller. Smooth transition between traditional network and the new SDN enabled network, especially from a cost impact assessment perspective, may be accomplished using the existing PCE components from the current network to function as the central controller of the SDN network is one choice, which not only achieves the goal of having a centralized controller to provide the functionalities needed for the central controller, but also leverages the existing PCE network components.

Using PCE as SDN controller

A path computation element (PCE) central controller (PCECC) comprising a memory comprising executable instructions and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to execute the instructions. Executing the instructions causes the processor to receive a request to compute a path through a network, the request comprising a plurality of computational tasks, divide the computational tasks into a plurality of groups of computational tasks, transmit at least some of the plurality of groups of computational tasks to a plurality of path computation clients (PCCs) for computation by the PCCs, and receive, from the PCCs, computation results corresponding to the plurality of groups of computational tasks.

PCEP extension for PCECC support of distributed computing, multiple services, and inter-domain routing

A method implemented by a path computation element centralized controller (PCECC), the method comprises: receiving a service request to provision for a service from a first edge node and a second edge node in a network; computing a path for a label switched path (LSP) from the first edge node to the second edge node in response to the service request; reserving label information for forwarding traffic of the service on the LSP; and sending a label update message to a third node on the path to facilitate forwarding of the traffic of the service on the path, wherein the label update message comprises the label information.

Path computation element central controllers (PCECCs) for network services

A system comprising a plurality of path computation elements (PCEs) configured to communicate with an ingress node, jointly compute a core tree for an inter-domain point-to-multipoint (P2MP) tree across a plurality of network domains, and independently compute a plurality of sub-trees in at least some of the network domains, wherein the core tree connects the ingress node to a boundary node (BN) in each one of the network domains that have a destination node and each sub-tree connects the BN to a plurality of destination nodes in one of the network domains that have a destination node.

System and method for point to multipoint inter-domain MPLS traffic engineering path calculation

A path control element (PCE) is provided, including a processor and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium coupled to the processor. The storage medium stores programming for execution by the processor, wherein the programming, when executed by the processor, configures the PCE to receive a request for a path of a unicast or multicast label switching path (LSP), determine a primary path and a secondary/local protection path through a plurality of nodes in a label switched network, and provide the primary path and the secondary/local protection path to the plurality of nodes.

System and method for using a path control element as a central controller for local protection of label switched path (LSP)

Embodiments are provided herein to enable single level network abstraction for a service across one or more domains. The embodiments use a single network ID to identify a service and a corresponding virtual network topology across any number of domains at a physical network. A virtual network topology can be abstracted for each service, based on the physical underlying network topology. A network controller determines, for a service, the virtual network topology within a physical network, and binds the service to the virtual network topology via a virtual network ID, which defines a single forwarding domain of the virtual network topology across the physical network. The virtual network ID is then indicated to the nodes of the virtual network topology, thus enabling the nodes to identify and forward traffic for the service, within the single forwarding domain, between end clients from edge to edge of the physical network.

System and method for virtual network abstraction and switching

An apparatus comprising a memory, and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to transmit a multicast Resource Reservation Protocol-Traffic Engineering (mRSVP-TE) path request (PATH) message upstream, wherein the PATH message requests reservation of a backup Label Switched Path (LSP) to protect an active LSP configured to transmit multicast data. The disclosure also includes a computer program product comprising computer executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium such that when executed by a processor cause a network element (NE) to receive a multicast PATH message from a downstream node, wherein the NE acts as a Point of Local Repair (PLR) along an active LSP, wherein the active LSP is configured to transmit multicast data, and wherein the PATH message requests reservation of a backup LSP to protect the active LSP.

mRSVP-TE based fast reroute in detour (1:1) protection mode

In one aspect, the invention includes, in a root node along a secondary label switching path, a computer program product comprising computer executable instructions stored on a non-transitory medium that when executed by a processor cause the root node to perform the following: establish a first data plane based failure detection session having an inactive status along a first label switching path (LSP) with at least one leaf node, receive a predetermined number of notification messages from the leaf node, wherein the predetermined number of notification messages indicate the failure of a second data plane based failure detection session along a second LSP from a second processor to the leaf node, and change the status of the first data plane based failure detection session to active along the first LSP upon receipt of the predetermined number of notification messages.

Failure detection in the multiprotocol label switching multicast label switched path's end-to-end protection solution

An apparatus comprising a memory, and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to transmit a backup Label Switched Path (LSP) multicast Resource Reservation Protocol-Traffic Engineering (mRSVP-TE) path request (PATH) message upstream, wherein the backup LSP PATH message requests reservation of a first backup LSP to protect a first primary LSP configured to transmit multicast data, and wherein the backup LSP PATH message is transmitted to support a facility mode one to many (1:N) fast reroute protocol.

mRSVP-TE based fast reroute in facility (1:N) protection mode

An ingress node in a Software Defined Network (SDN) comprising a receiver for receiving a data packet, a processor coupled to the receiver and further configured to obtain the data packet from the receiver in a transport protocol agnostic manner, and encapsulate the data packet in an SDN packet header, wherein the packet header comprises SDN flow-specific information provided by an SDN controller, and a transmitter coupled to the processor and further configured to transmit the encapsulated data packet across a single SDN toward an egress node in the SDN.

Growing community of inventors

Boxborough, MA, United States of America

Qianglin Quintin Zhao