System and method for multipoint label distribution protocol node protection using a targeted session in a network environment

1. A method, comprising:

receiving first address information from a protected node over a first label switched path having a first label, the first address information being associated with a first network element, and a second label switched path being previously established with the first network element;

establishing a targeted session with the first network element, wherein establishing the targeted session with the first network element includes sending a first unicast message addressed to the first network element;

assigning a second label to the second label switched path; and

sending the second label and a forwarding equivalence class label mapping for the second label switched path to the first network element over the targeted session using a second unicast message.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

sending protected node status information to the first network element over the targeted session, the protected node status information including second address information associated with the protected node.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the protected node status information further includes an indication to the first network element that the second label associated with the second label switched path is not to be used unless the protected node is determined to be unreachable.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

activating the second label assigned to the second label switched path based upon a determination that the protected node is unreachable due to failure of the protected node;

disabling the first label associated with the first label switched path; and

switching traffic to the second label switch path.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving first traffic from the first label switched path and second traffic from the second label switched path due to the protected node being unreachable by the first network element caused by a link failure between the first network element and the protected node; and

dropping the second traffic from the second label switched path.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:

receiving an indication from the protected node that the first address information is no longer applicable; and

sending a label withdraw message to the first network element indicating to the first network element to withdraw the second label associated with the second path.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first network element comprises a router having Point of Local Repair capability.

8. Logic encoded in one or more non-transitory tangible media that includes code for execution and when executed by a processor operable to perform operations comprising:

receiving first address information from a protected node over a first label switched path having a first label, the first address information being associated with a first network element, and a second label switched path being previously established with the first network element;

establishing a targeted session with the first network element, wherein establishing the targeted session with the first network element includes sending a first unicast message addressed to the first network element;

assigning a second label to the second label switched path; and

sending the second label and a forwarding equivalence class label mapping for the second label switched path to the first network element over the targeted session using a second unicast message.

9. The logic of claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise:

sending protected node status information to the first network element over the targeted session, the protected node status information including second address information associated with the protected node.

10. The logic of claim 9 , wherein the protected node status information further includes an indication to the first network element that the second label associated with the second label switched path is not to be used unless the protected node is determined to be unreachable.

11. The logic of claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise:

activating the second label assigned to the second label switched path based upon a determination that the protected node is unreachable due to failure of the protected node;

disabling the first label associated with the first label switched path; and

switching traffic to the second label switch path.

12. The logic of claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise:

receiving first traffic from the first label switched path and second traffic from the second label switched path due to the protected node being unreachable by the first network element caused by a link failure between the first network element and the protected node; and

dropping the second traffic from the second label switched path.

13. The logic of claim 12 , wherein the operations further comprise:

receiving an indication from the protected node that the first address information is no longer applicable; and

sending a label withdraw message to the first network element indicating to the first network element to withdraw the second label associated with the second path.

14. An apparatus, comprising:

a memory element configured to store data,

a processor operable to execute instructions associated with the data, and

a node protection module coupled to the processor, wherein the apparatus is configured to:

receive first address information from a protected node over a first label switched path having a first label, the first address information being associated with a first network element, and a second label switched path being previously established with the first network element;

establish a targeted session with the first network element, wherein establishing the targeted session with the first network element includes sending a first unicast message addressed to the first network element;

assign a second label to the second label switched path; and

send the second label and a forwarding equivalence class label mapping for the second label switched path to the first network element over the targeted session using a second unicast message.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the apparatus is further configured to:

send protected node status information to the first network element over the targeted session, the protected node status information including second address information associated with the protected node.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the protected node status information further includes an indication to the first network element that the second label associated with the second label switched path is not to be used unless the protected node is determined to be unreachable.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the apparatus is further configured to:

activate the second label assigned to the second label switched path based upon a determination that the protected node is unreachable due to failure of the protected node;

disable the first label associated with the first label switched path; and

switch traffic to the second label switch path.

18. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the apparatus is further configured to:

receive first traffic from the first label switched path and second traffic from the second label switched path due to the protected node being unreachable by the first network element caused by a link failure between the first network element and the protected node; and

drop the second traffic from the second label switched path.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the apparatus is further configured to:

receive an indication from the protected node that the first address information is no longer applicable; and

send a label withdraw message to the first network element indicating to the first network element to withdraw the second label associated with the second path.

20. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the apparatus comprises a router having merge point capability.