Efficient Protection Mechanisms For Protecting Multicast Traffic in a Ring Topology Network Utilizing Label Switching Protocols

Abstract

Efficient protection mechanisms for ring-based label-switching networks, such as multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) networks. The protection mechanisms are designed to protect point-to-multipoint label switching paths (LSPs). In steering ring protection embodiments, the nodes of the ring network are provided with pre-configured tables that enable each node to operate in both working mode and protection mode. The information required for each node to switch between the two modes in included in its respective table during the pre-configuration of the ring network. In wrapping ring protection embodiments, the wrapping is performed by assigning a unique LSP label to each LSP and further configuring each intermediate node in the ring network to transparently pass data packets including the unique LSP label. Upon detecting a failure in a network node, the data packets including the unique LSP label are switched to a protection ring.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.