Alcatel Lucent

Alcatel-lucent USA Inc.

Vach P Kompella

Joe Regan

Wenao Hu

Pranjal Kumar Dutta

A u-turn fast rerouting capability is provided. A first node propagates a packet toward a second node based on selection of a first routing path for routing the packet from the first node toward an intended destination node. The second node received the packet, determines that the packet cannot be delivered to the destination node via the first routing path, inserts a u-turn label into the packet, and returns the packet to the first node. The u-turn label indicates that the packet is being returned to the first node by the second node due to a condition preventing propagation of the packet toward the destination node using the first routing path. The first node receives the packet including the u-turn label, selects a second routing path for routing the packet toward the destination node, and propagates the packet toward the destination node based on the second routing path.

Method and apparatus for rapid rerouting of LDP packets

Echo messaging for operation, administration, and management of a service-based distribution path and associated services are disclosed. Service-based distribution paths or transport tunnels include services mapped or bound to a path associated with the transport tunnel. Echo messaging provides OAM capabilities to monitor the operational state of a service-based distribution path, including determining configuration, connectivity, and other characteristics of the path and associated services that transport data. OAM functions provided by echo messaging enable OAM functions despite service volume along a core network, path or set of paths.

OAM echo messaging to verify a service-based network distribution path

Inserting an address used for performing such OAM functions in an efficient way that is transparent to a customer or service using the network path is disclosed. An indication is received that a source address reserved for OAM use should be inserted into a forwarding database associated with a provider network node, such as a provider edge device, that receives the indication. The address is inserted into a forwarding database as an address that is owned by the provider network node and reserved for OAM use. One or more other nodes associated with a service with which the OAM address is associated may be notified that the OAM address is associated with the provider network node that owns the OAM address.

Injecting addresses to enable OAM functions

Loss of connectivity on a mesh or virtual service (e.g., VPLS) may be restored by 'stitching' a healing path between an affected node and another node on the mesh. Connectivity may be restored by 'healing' or constructing an alternate path or connection between the affected node and the mesh. Unidirectional and bidirectional healing may be used to establish an alternate path between the affected node and the mesh. Additionally, removing pseudowire connections between the affected node and the mesh may be performed, while establishing a spoke connection to an advertised, available router to create a new connection or &#x201c;stitch&#x201d; together existing connections.

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Cupertino, CA, United States of America

Vach P Kompella