Dynamically adjusting multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) traffic engineering tunnel bandwidth
AssigneeCisco Technology, Inc.
InventorsRobert Goguen, George Swallow
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for an improved Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) system for traffic engineering is described. The improved MPLS system determines the actual traffic flow within a traffic engineering (TE) tunnel and dynamically adjusts the bandwidth to reflect the actual traffic flow. The actual traffic flow may be ascertained by accessing an average byte counter, which keeps track of the traffic flowing through the TE tunnel. Once the actual traffic flow is known the bandwidth is updated in accordance with the actual traffic flow. This allows the MPLS system to automatically maximize the bandwidth resources while minimizing operator intervention.
Claims45
A method for controlling a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) traffic engineering (TE) system by dynamically adjusting a current set bandwidth of a TE tunnel, the method comprising the repetitive steps of:
- setting an event in which a byte counter is to be read, the byte counter keeping track of an average traffic flow through the TE tunnel;
- wherein at the occurrence of the event, a processing unit performs the steps of:
- reading the byte counter to determine the average traffic flow of the TE tunnel;
- comparing the average traffic flow with the current set bandwidth of the TE tunnel;
- determining whether the current set bandwidth needs to be adjusted and if so, calculating an adjusted bandwidth and causing a TE module to perform the steps of,
- calculating a path that meets a requirement of the adjusted bandwidth;
- and
- setting the TE tunnel according to the calculated path.
A processor readable medium having instructions contained therein for controlling a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) traffic engineering (TE) system by dynamically adjusting a current set bandwidth of a TE tunnel, the instructions which when executed by the processor causes the processor to perform a method comprising the repetitive steps of:
- setting an event in which a byte counter is to be read, the byte counter keeping track of an average traffic flow through the TE tunnel;
- wherein at the occurrence of the event, a processing unit performs the steps of:
- reading the byte counter to determine the average traffic flow of the TE tunnel;
- comparing the average traffic flow with the current set bandwidth of the TE tunnel;
- determining whether the current set bandwidth needs to be adjusted and if so, calculating an adjusted bandwidth and causing a TE module to perform the steps of,
- calculating a path that meets a requirement of the adjusted bandwidth;
- and
- setting the TE tunnel according to the calculated path.
An apparatus to control a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) traffic engineering (TE) system by dynamically adjusting a current set bandwidth of a TE tunnel, the apparatus comprising:
- an autobandwidth module to set an event in which a byte counter is to be read, the byte counter keeping track of an average traffic flow through the TE tunnel;
- a processing unit, which at the occurrence of the event, is configured
- (1) to read the byte counter to determine the average traffic flow of the TE tunnel,
- (2) to compare the average traffic flow with the current set bandwidth of the TE tunnel,
- (3) to determine whether the current set bandwidth needs to be adjusted,
- a TE module, which if the current set bandwidth needs to be adjusted, is configured
- (1) to calculate a path that meets the adjusted bandwidth, and
- (2) to set the TE tunnel according to the calculated path.
A method in a router for establishing label switched paths, comprising:
- selecting a first bandwidth for a first route;
- choosing said first route to accommodate packets switched according to said label switched paths;
- establishing a first tunnel for said first route, said first tunnel having said first bandwidth;
- monitoring a number of bytes passing through said first tunnel to measure a measured bandwidth;
- selecting, in response to said measured bandwidth, a second route for said label switched paths, said second route accommodating said measured bandwidth;
- and
- establishing a second tunnel for said second route.
A traffic engineering system in a router to establish label switched paths, comprising:
- a first module to select a first bandwidth for a first route;
- a path calculation module to choose said first route to accommodate packets switched according to said label switched paths;
- a second module to establish a first tunnel for said first route, said first tunnel having said first bandwidth;
- a physical link management module to monitor a number of bytes passing through said first tunnel to measure a measured bandwidth;
- a traffic engineering module to select, in response to said measured bandwidth, a second route for said label switched paths, said second route accommodating said measured bandwidth;
- and
- a third module to establish a second tunnel for said second route.
A router to establish a tunnel for label switched paths, comprising:
- a first module to select a first bandwidth for a first route;
- a second module to choose said first route to accommodate packets switched according to said label switched paths;
- a third module to establish a first tunnel for said first route, said first tunnel having said first bandwidth;
- means for monitoring a number of bytes passing through said first tunnel to measure a measured bandwidth;
- means for selecting, in response to said measured bandwidth, a second route for said label switched paths, said second route accommodating said measured bandwidth;
- and
- a fourth module to establish a second tunnel for said second route.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.