Avoiding data traffic loss in an ethernet ring multihomed, in an active-standby manner, to a virtual private LAN service transport network

摘要

Data traffic loss in a an Ethernet Ring that is multihomed, in an active-standby manner, to a VPLS transport network (such as a Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) multihomed Ethernet Ring, an MC-LAG multihomed Ethernet Ring, or some other type of active-standby multihomed Ethernet Ring, etc.) (ring) is avoided. The exemplary multihomed ring running Ethernet Ring Protection (ERP) protocol includes a Ring Protection Link (RPL), a first node and a second node linked with a designated border router and a standby border router of the network, respectively. The data traffic loss in the multihomed ring is avoided by (i) receiving an indication that the link between the first node and the designated border router has failed; and (ii) invoking, responsive to the received indication, an ERP Media Access Control (MAC)-flush in the ring, even in the absence of a failed link in the ring and without activating the specified RPL. The ERP MAC-flush causes subsequent data packets from each of the plurality of nodes in the ring to be forwarded to the standby border router via the second node.

主权项

1. A computer-implemented method for avoiding traffic loss in an active-standby, multihomed Ethernet Ring running an Ethernet Ring Protection (ERP) protocol including a specified Ring Protection Link (RPL), in which a first node of the Ethernet Ring in a first portion of a network is linked with a designated border router of a second portion of the network and in which a second node of the Ethernet Ring in the first portion of the network is linked with a standby border router of the second portion of the network, the computer-implemented method comprising:
a) receiving an indication that the link between the first node and the designated border router of the network has failed, wherein the designated border router is not a part of the Ethernet Ring running the ERP protocol; b) responsive to the received indication that the link between the first node and the designated border router of the network has failed,
1) invoking an ERP Media Access Control (MAC)-flush in the Ethernet Ring, even in the absence of a failed link in the Ethernet Ring, and2) maintaining the specified RPL of the Ethernet Ring in an inactive or blocked state; c) receiving an indication that a link in the Ethernet Ring has failed; and d) responsive to the received indication that the link in the Ethernet Ring has failed,
1) invoking an ERP Media Access Control (MAC)-flush in the Ethernet Ring, and2) activating the specified RPL of the Ethernet Ring.