Constraint-based label switched path selection within a computer network

A method comprising:

• monitoring network characteristics of a set of label switched paths (LSPs) within a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network;
• generating statistical data for the set of LSPs based on the monitored network characteristics;
• performing route resolution within an ingress network router of a packet-based network to identify one or more forwarding next hops for a label switched path (LSP) based on constraint information associated with a layer two (L2) connection, wherein the constraint information is selected from a bandwidth, a color, an end-to-end delay, a jitter, a security requirement, and a classification of traffic for the L2 connection, and wherein performing route resolution comprises comparing the constraint information for the L2 connection sent from the L2 network to the MPLS network to the statistical data for the set of LSPs through the MPLS network;
• identifying the one or more forwarding next hops for the LSP from the set of LSPs based on the comparison;
• and
• forwarding network traffic from the L2 connection in accordance with the identified forwarding next hop.

A network apparatus comprising a control unit that receives a request to transport data associated with a layer two (L2) connection coupling an L2 network to an Multi-protocol Label Switching (MPLS) network, wherein the request specifies constraint information for one or more characteristics of the L2 connection, and wherein the control unit receives the request from a network device positioned within the L2 network,

• wherein the control unit comprises a call admission control module that monitors network characteristics of a set of label switched paths (LSPs) originating from the network apparatus, and generates statistical data for the set of LSPs based on the monitored network characteristics,
• wherein the control unit selects one of the set of LSPs in response to the request based on the constraint information by performing route resolution to identify one or more forwarding next hops for the selected LSP based on constraint information associated with a layer two (L2) connection, wherein the constraint information is selected from a bandwidth, a color, an end-to-end delay, a jitter, a security requirement, and a classification of traffic for the L2 connection, and wherein performing route resolution comprises comparing the constraint information for the L2 connection to the statistical data for the set of LSPs through the MPLS network, and issues a call admission message to the network device positioned within the L2 network in response to the request, wherein the call admission message includes an L2 connection identifier associated with the selected LSP,
• wherein the control unit, after issuing the call admission message, receives data from the L2 connection that includes the L2 identifier included within the call admission message, and forwards the received data from the L2 connection via the selected LSP by identifying the one or more forwarding next hops for the selected LSP from the set of LSPs based on the comparison, and forwarding network traffic from the L2 connection in accordance with the identified forwarding next hop.

A system comprising:

• a first layer two (L2) network having a network device and at least one L2 connection;
• a second L2 network;
• and
• a Multi-protocol label Switching (MPLS) network between the first L2 network and the second L2 network, the network device of the first L2 network being coupled to the MPLS network by the L2 connection,
• wherein the MPLS network includes a router configured to monitor network characteristics of a set of label switched paths (LSPs) within the MPLS network, generate statistical data for the set of LSPs based on the monitored network characteristics, and receive a request from the network device of the first L2 network to transport data from the L2 connection to the second L2 network, wherein the request specifies one or more characteristics of the L2 connection, and wherein the request is received from a network device positioned within the first L2 network, and
• wherein the router is configured to select one of the LSPs of the MPLS network based on the characteristics of the L2 connection of the first L2 network by performing route resolution within the router to identify one or more forwarding next hops for the LSP based on constraint information associated with the L2 connection, wherein the constraint information is selected from a bandwidth, a color, an end-to-end delay, a jitter, a security requirement, and a classification of traffic for the L2 connection, and wherein performing route resolution comprises comparing the constraint information for the L2 connection to the statistical data for the set of LSPs through the MPLS network,
• wherein the router is configured to issue a call admission message to the network device positioned within the first L2 network in response to the request, wherein the call admission message includes an L2 connection identifier associated with the selected LSP;
• after issuing the call admission message, receive data from the L2 connection, wherein the data includes the L2 identifier included within the call admission message;
• and forward the data received from the L2 connection through the MPLS network to the second L2 network via the selected LSP by identifying the one or more forwarding next hops for the selected LSP from the set of LSPs based on the comparison, and forwarding network traffic from the L2 connection in accordance with the identified forwarding next hop.

A computer-readable medium comprising instructions for causing a processor to:

• monitoring network characteristics of a set of label switched paths (LSPs) within the MPLS network;
• generating statistical data for the set of LSPs based on the monitored network characteristics;
• receive, at an ingress device of an Multi-protocol Label Switching (MPLS) network a request to transport data from a layer two (L2) connection coupling an L2 network to the MPLS network, wherein the request specifies constraint information for one or more characteristics of the L2 connection from the L2 network to the MPLS network, and wherein the request is received from a network device positioned within the L2 network;
• select one of the set of LSPs of the MPLS network based on the constraint information for the L2 connection from the L2 network to the MPLS network by performing route resolution within an ingress network router of a packet-based network to identify one or more forwarding next hops for a label switched path (LSP) based on the constraint information for the L2 connection, wherein the constraint information is selected from a bandwidth, a color, an end-to-end delay, a jitter, a security requirement, and a classification of traffic for the L2 connection, and wherein performing route resolution comprises comparing the constraint information for the L2 connection to the statistical data for the set of LSPs through the MPLS network;
• issue a call admission message from the ingress device to the network device positioned within the L2 network in response to the request, wherein the call admission message includes an L2 connection identifier associated with the selected LSP;
• receive data from the L2 connection with the ingress device after the call admission message is issued, wherein the data includes the L2 identifier included within the call admission message;
• and
• forward, with the ingress device, the data received from the L2 connection through the MPLS network via the selected LSP by identifying one of the one or more forwarding next hops for the LSP from the set of LSPs based on the comparison, and forwarding network traffic from the L2 connection in accordance with the identified forwarding next hop.