Techniques for introducing in-band network management packets in multi-protocol label switching networks
View Patent ↗A system and method is provided for introducing in-band network management packets (INMPS) in a Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) network. This system and method of the invention uses INMPs for carrying OA&M information to label switching routers (LSRs) for effectively managing and operating MPLS-based networks. This system and method of the invention also includes techniques for distinguishing INMPs from user packets in an MPLS network. The system and method of the invention further includes using a predetermined code in a shim header of an MPLS packet to determine whether an MPLS packet is an INMP or a user packet. The predetermined code may be provided in an experimental field or a time-to-live field in the shim header of the packet. Alternatively, a label may be reserved for distinguishing an INMP from a user packet.
1. A method of introducing in-band network management packets in a network comprising steps of:
constructing a packet including a header:
inserting a predetermined code in a field in the header; and
determining whether the packet includes an in-band network management packet, or a user packet using the predetermined code,
wherein
the constructed packet is a multi-protocol label switching packet, and
the field for inserting the predetermined code is a time-to-live field.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined code is a one-bit code.
3. A method of introducing in-band network management packets in a multi-protocol label switching network, comprising a step of:
determining whether a packet is an in-band network management packet or a user packet by predetermined code to distinguish an in-band network management packet from a user packet; where
the packet includes a shim header and the predetermined code is inserted in an experimental field located in the shim header.
4. A method of introducing in-band network management packets in a multi-protocol label switching network, comprising a step of:
determining whether a packet is an in-band network management packet or a user packet by predetermined code to distinguish an in-band network management packet from a user packet; where
the packet includes a shim header and the predetermined code is inserted in a time-to-live field located in the shim header.
5. A network comprising:
an originating router constructing an in-band network management packet; and
a receiving router that receives a packet and determines whether the packet is an in-band network management packet or a user packet;
wherein
the originating router inserts a predetermined code in a header in the in-band network management packet, and the predetermined code identifies an in-band network management packet, and
the header includes a shim header, and the predetermined code is inserted in a time-to-live field in the shim header.
6. A router comprising:
reception circuitry that receives an incoming packet; and
processing circuitry that identifies a predetermined code and determines whether the incoming packet is an in-band network management packet or a user packet using the predetermined code, wherein the processing circuit identifies the predetermined code from a time-to-live field in a shim header of the received packet.