Abstract: Principles of the invention relate to techniques for transmission of Layer 2 (L2) multicast traffic over a point to multi-point (P2MP) label switched path (LSP) within a multi-protocol Label Switching (MPLS) network. The principles of the invention include configuring circuit cross-connect (CCC) switches that transparently cross-connect L2 interfaces to a P2MP LSP within an MPLS network. The transparent cross-connections allow L2 multicast traffic to be encapsulated as MPLS packets regardless of the type of payload the L2 multicast traffic is carrying. A CCC switch may be configured within an ingress router of a P2MP LSP to cross connect an L2 interface to the P2MP LSP. CCC switches may also be configured within each egress router of the P2MP LSP to cross-connect each leaf of the P2MP LSP to one or more L2 interfaces.

Abstract: Principles of the invention are described for providing virtual private local area network service (VPLS) multicast instances across a public network by utilizing multicast trees. In particular, the VPLS multicast instances transport layer two (L2) multicast traffic, such as Ethernet packets, between customer networks via the public network. The principles described herein enable VPLS multicast instances to handle high bandwidth multicast traffic. The principles also reduce the state and the overhead of maintaining the state in the network by removing the need to perform snooping between routers within the network.

Abstract: Principles of the invention are described for providing multicast virtual private networks (MVPNs) across a public network that are capable of carrying high-bandwidth multicast traffic with increased scalability. In particular, the MVPNs may transport layer three (L3) multicast traffic, such as Internet Protocol (IP) packets, between remote sites via the public network. The principles described herein may reduce the overhead of protocol independent multicast (PIM) neighbor adjacencies and customer control information maintained for MVPNs. The principles may also reduce the state and the overhead of maintaining the state in the network by removing the need to maintain at least one dedicated multicast tree per each MVPN.

Abstract: Principles of the invention are described for providing multicast virtual private networks (MVPNs) across a public network that are capable of carrying high-bandwidth multicast traffic with increased scalability. In particular, the MVPNs may transport layer three (L3) multicast traffic, such as Internet Protocol (IP) packets, between remote sites via the public network. The principles described herein may reduce the overhead of protocol independent multicast (PIM) neighbor adjacencies and customer control information maintained for MVPNs. The principles may also reduce the state and the overhead of maintaining the state in the network by removing the need to maintain at least one dedicated multicast tree per each MVPN.

Abstract: The invention is directed to techniques for failsafe management of periodic communications between network devices. A first network device, for example, establishes with a second network device a first response interval by which the first device responds to a message received from the second device. Prior to commencing a software upgrade, the first device determines whether the event requires an interval of time during which the first device cannot respond to the message within the established first response interval. Based on the determination and prior to commencing the upgrade, the first device establishes with the second device a second response interval that equals or exceeds the first response interval. Upon completion of the event, the first device establishes with the second device a third response interval. The first network device therefore may automatically adjust response intervals to accommodate upgrades that may cause unnecessary thrashing.

Abstract: Techniques are described for performing non-revertive failover with network devices. A network device comprising a control unit and interface cards receives routing information protocol (RIP) updates each having a metric value. The control unit signals bidirectional forwarding detection (BFD) sessions based on the metric values of each of the RIP updates with, for example, a media gateway. The control unit also selectively installs a RIP route based on the metric values. The media gateway monitors the BFD sessions, and upon failure of an active BFD session, indicates the network device to perform non-revertive failover by sending a revised plurality of RIP updates. The network device performs non-revertive failover according to the revised plurality of RIP updates. Because of the flexibility of BFD, the network device need not revert back to a previous RIP route, therefore curtailing excessive failover.

Abstract: Principles of the invention are described for providing multicast virtual private networks (MVPNs) across a public network that are capable of carrying high-bandwidth multicast traffic with increased scalability. In particular, the MVPNs may transport layer three (L3) multicast traffic, such as Internet Protocol (IP) packets, between remote sites via the public network. The principles described herein may reduce the overhead of protocol independent multicast (PIM) neighbor adjacencies and customer control information maintained for MVPNs. The principles may also reduce the state and the overhead of maintaining the state in the network by removing the need to maintain at least one dedicated multicast tree per each MVPN.

Abstract: A method performed by a provider edge device includes generating pseudo-wire tables based on virtual private local area network service advertisements from other provider edge devices, where the provider edge device services customer edge devices, and establishing pseudo-wires with respect to the other provider edge devices, based on the pseudo-wire tables, where the pseudo-wires include an active pseudo-wire and at least one standby pseudo-wire with respect to each of the other provider edge devices. The method also includes generating and advertising VPLS advertisement to the other provider edge devices, detecting a communication link failure associated with one of the customer edge devices in which the provider edge device services, and determining whether the at least one standby pseudo-wire needs to be utilized because of the communication link failure.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward techniques for Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) upstream label assignment for the Resource Reservation Protocol with Traffic Engineering (RSVP-TE). The techniques include extensions to the RSVP-TE that enable distribution of upstream assigned labels in Path messages from an upstream router to two or more downstream routers of tunnel established over a network. The tunnel may comprise a RSVP-TE P2MP Label Switched Path (LSP) or an Internet Protocol (IP) multicast tunnel. The techniques also include extensions to the RSVP-TE that enable a router to advertise upstream label assignment capability to neighboring routers in the network. The MPLS upstream label assignment using RSVP-TE described herein enables a branch router to avoid traffic replication on a Local Area Network (LAN) for RSVP-TE P2MP LSPs.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward techniques for Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) upstream label assignment for the Label Distribution Protocol (LDP). The techniques include extensions to the LDP that enable distribution of upstream assigned labels from an upstream router to two or more downstream routers of a tunnel established over a network. The tunnel may comprise a LDP Point to Multi-Point (P2MP) Label Switched Path (LSP), an Internet Protocol (IP) multicast tunnel, or a Resource Reservation Protocol with Traffic Engineering extensions (RSVP-TE) P2MP LSP. The techniques also include extensions to the LDP that enable a router to advertise upstream label assignment capability to neighboring routers in the network. The MPLS upstream label assignment using LDP described herein enables a branch router to avoid traffic replication on a Local Area Network (LAN) for LDP P2MP LSPs.

Abstract: Principles of the invention are described for providing virtual private local area network service (VPLS) multicast instances across a public network by utilizing multicast trees. In particular, the VPLS multicast instances transport layer two (L2) multicast traffic, such as Ethernet packets, between customer networks via the public network. The principles described herein enable VPLS multicast instances to handle high bandwidth multicast traffic. The principles also reduce the state and the overhead of maintaining the state in the network by removing the need to perform snooping between routers within the network.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward techniques for Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) upstream label assignment for the Resource Reservation Protocol with Traffic Engineering (RSVP-TE). The techniques include extensions to the RSVP-TE that enable distribution of upstream assigned labels in Path messages from an upstream router to two or more downstream routers of tunnel established over a network. The tunnel may comprise a RSVP-TE P2MP Label Switched Path (LSP) or an Internet Protocol (IP) multicast tunnel. The techniques also include extensions to the RSVP-TE that enable a router to advertise upstream label assignment capability to neighboring routers in the network. The MPLS upstream label assignment using RSVP-TE described herein enables a branch router to avoid traffic replication on a Local Area Network (LAN) for RSVP-TE P2MP LSPs.

Abstract: A new architecture provides network-based mobility in cellular networks that is built on Internet Protocol (IP)/Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) technologies, such as Virtual Private Local Area Network (LAN) Service (VPLS), the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) and BGP MPLS Layer 3 Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). The architecture consists of several building blocks that provide functionality for different aspects of cellular network mobility. One building block is network-based macro mobility in IP/MPLS networks. The macro mobility techniques described herein are built on extensions to a routing protocol such as BGP. Another building block relates to transferring subscriber context between network devices while preserving the IP address of the subscriber. The techniques described herein provide a subscriber context transfer mechanism for mobile subscriber management that is built on extensions to a routing protocol such as BGP.

Abstract: A new architecture provides network-based mobility in cellular networks that is built on Internet Protocol (IP)/Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) technologies, such as Virtual Private Local Area Network (LAN) Service (VPLS), the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) and BGP MPLS Layer 3 Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). The architecture consists of several building blocks that provide functionality for different aspects of cellular network mobility. One building block is network-based macro mobility in IP/MPLS networks. The macro mobility techniques described herein are built on extensions to a routing protocol such as BGP. Another building block relates to transferring subscriber context between network devices while preserving the IP address of the subscriber. The techniques described herein provide a subscriber context transfer mechanism for mobile subscriber management that is built on extensions to a routing protocol such as BGP.

Abstract: A new architecture provides network-based mobility in cellular networks that is built on Internet Protocol (IP)/Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) technologies, such as Virtual Private Local Area Network (LAN) Service (VPLS), the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) and BGP MPLS Layer 3 Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). The architecture consists of several building blocks that provide functionality for different aspects of cellular network mobility. One building block is network-based macro mobility in IP/MPLS networks. The macro mobility techniques described herein are built on extensions to a routing protocol such as BGP. Another building block relates to transferring subscriber context between network devices while preserving the IP address of the subscriber. The techniques described herein provide a subscriber context transfer mechanism for mobile subscriber management that is built on extensions to a routing protocol such as BGP.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward techniques for Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) upstream label assignment for the Resource Reservation Protocol with Traffic Engineering (RSVP-TE). The techniques include extensions to the RSVP-TE that enable distribution of upstream assigned labels in Path messages from an upstream router to two or more downstream routers of tunnel established over a network. The tunnel may comprise a RSVP-TE P2MP Label Switched Path (LSP) or an Internet Protocol (IP) multicast tunnel. The techniques also include extensions to the RSVP-TE that enable a router to advertise upstream label assignment capability to neighboring routers in the network. The MPLS upstream label assignment using RSVP-TE described herein enables a branch router to avoid traffic replication on a Local Area Network (LAN) for RSVP-TE P2MP LSPs.

Abstract: Techniques are described for performing non-revertive failover with network devices. A network device including a control unit and interface cards receives routing information protocol (RIP) updates each having a metric value. The control unit signals bidirectional forwarding detection (BFD) sessions based on the metric values of each of the RIP updates with, for example, a media gateway. The control unit also selectively installs a RIP route based on the metric values. The media gateway monitors the BFD sessions, and upon failure of an active BFD session, indicates the network device to perform non-revertive failover by sending a revised plurality of RIP updates. The network device performs non-revertive failover according to the revised plurality of RIP updates. Because of the flexibility of BFD, the network device need not revert back to a previous RIP route, therefore curtailing excessive failover.

Abstract: Techniques are described for configuration of a multi-chassis router for managing periodic communications between the multi-chassis router and other network devices. The multi-chassis router selectively processes data received from a network by determine whether the data: (1) indicates an operational state of a network device in association with a routing protocol, or (2) conveys routing information for the routing protocol. Data conveying routing information are processed by a master routing component of the multi-chassis router, while data indicating an operational state of a network device are processed by one or more slave routing components of the multi-chassis router.

Abstract: Techniques are described for fast reroute of traffic associated with a point to multi-point (P2MP) tunnel. A system may, for example, include a source network device and a plurality of destination network devices. The system further includes a label switched path (LSP) tunnel from the source network device to the plurality of destination network devices. The LSP tunnel includes a plurality of branch LSPs and may include one or more bypass tunnel associated with one or more of the branch LSPs. In other configurations, the system may include a second LSP tunnel from the source network device to the plurality of destination network devices. The second LSP tunnel includes a plurality of detour branch LSPs, and each of the detour branch LSPs corresponds to a respective one of the branch LSPs for the first P2MP LSP tunnel.

Abstract: Principles of the invention are described for providing virtual private local area network service (VPLS) multicast instances across a public network by utilizing multicast trees. In particular, the VPLS multicast instances transport layer two (L2) multicast traffic, such as Ethernet packets, between customer networks via the public network. The principles described herein enable VPLS multicast instances to handle high bandwidth multicast traffic. The principles also reduce the state and the overhead of maintaining the state in the network by removing the need to perform snooping between routers within the network.