Method and apparatus for protection switching in virtual private networks
OwnerDongsoo S. Kim, Antonio Ruiz +2inventors
InventorsDongsoo S. Kim, Antonio Ruiz, Dhadesugoor R. Vaman, Joonbum Byun
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Abstract
Protection switching of a virtual private network is provided whereby working VPN paths and protection VPN paths are defined. The working VPN path is monitored for increased data traffic and failures, and in response, data is switched from the working VPN path to the protection VPN path. The working VPN path is monitored for a return to proper functioning and normal data conditions, and data is then switched back from the protection VPN path to the working VPN path. Additionally, data capacity is managed through virtual bandwidth classes, and different classes of qualities of service are provided.
Claims41
A method for implementing protection switching for a computer network comprising:
- establishing a working network path and a protection network path between a first network node and a second network node;
- establishing a maximum acceptable network congestion level;
- establishing a maximum acceptable network traffic congestion level for no congestion;
- and
- switching traffic from the working network path to the protection network path when detected traffic in the working network path exceeds a predetermined maximum acceptable network traffic level for no congestion and is less than a maximum acceptable network congestion level.
An apparatus for protection switching of a computer network comprising:
- a congestion detector configured to detect traffic congestion on a working network path connected between a first network node and a second network node wherein data is transmitted across the working network path;
- and
- a data switch configured to switch data to be transmitted on the working network path to a protection network path connected between the first network node and the second network node if the congestion detector detects traffic congestion on the working network path that exceeds a predetermined maximum acceptable network traffic level for no congestion and is less than a maximum acceptable network congestion level.
An apparatus to implement switching between a working network path and a protection network path in a computer network, comprising:
- a monitor module configured to monitor the working network path to monitor traffic flow thereon, the monitor module configured to cause a switch in traffic from the working network path to the protection network path in response to a detected event, wherein the detected event is selected from a group of events consisting of:
- congestion in the working network path that exceeds a predetermined maximum acceptable network traffic level for no congestion and is less than a maximum acceptable network congestion level and link failure in the working network path.
A computer network comprising:
- a router/switch configured for communication over a communication network, the router/switch being configured to establish a working network path and a protection network path over the communication network;
- and
- a monitor module configured to monitor the working network path to monitor traffic flow thereon, the monitor module configured to cause the router/switch to switch traffic from the working network path to the protection network path in response to a detected event, wherein the event is selected from a group of events consisting of:
- congestion in the working network path that exceeds a predetermined maximum acceptable network traffic level for no congestion and is less than a maximum acceptable network congestion level and link failure in the working network path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.