MPLS extension headers in mixed networks
AssigneeHuawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
InventorsJames N. Guichard, Haoyu Song, Loa Andersson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A mixed Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network includes both extension header capable (EH capable) nodes and EH non-capable nodes. A first EH capable node receives advertised capabilities of a downstream node. These advertised capabilities indicate whether the downstream node is EH capable. The first EH capable node receives a packet to be transmitted to the downstream node via the MPLS network, and determines whether the packet includes an extension header (EH). The node inserts an EH label into an MPLS label stack of the packet after determining the advertised capabilities of the downstream node indicate that the downstream node is EH capable, and after determining the packet does not include the EH.
Claims26
A method by a first extension header (EH) capable node in a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network including both EH capable nodes and EH non-capable nodes, the method comprising:
- receiving advertised capabilities of a downstream node within the MPLS network, the advertised capabilities indicating whether the downstream node is an EH capable node;
- receiving a packet to be transmitted to the downstream node via the MPLS network;
- determining whether the packet includes an extension header (EH);
- and
- inserting an EH label into an MPLS label stack of the packet after determining the advertised capabilities of the downstream node indicate that the downstream node is EH capable and the packet does not include the EH.
A Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network comprising:
- a plurality of extension header (EH) capable Label Switching Routers (LSRs);
- at least one EH non-capable LSR coupled to the plurality of EH capable LSRs;
- a first EH capable LSR configured to:
- receive an advertisement message indicating whether a downstream LSR is EH capable;
- receive a packet to be transmitted to the downstream LSR;
- determine whether the packet includes one or more extension headers (EHs);
- and
- insert an EH label into an MPLS label stack of the packet after determining advertised capabilities of the downstream LSR indicate that the downstream LSR is EH capable and the packet does not include the one or more EHs.
An extension header capable (EH capable) Label Switching Router (LSR) comprising:
- a processor and associated memory;
- at least one interface coupled to the processor and associated memory, the at least one interface configured to receive and transmit packets of data to other Label Switching Routers (LSRs) included in a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network;
- the processor and associated memory configured to:
- receive an advertisement message indicating whether a downstream LSR is extension header capable (EH capable);
- receive a packet to be transmitted to the downstream LSR;
- determine whether the packet includes one or more extension headers (EHs);
- and
- insert an EH label into an MPLS label stack of the packet after determining the downstream LSR is EH capable and the packet does not include the one or more EHs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.