Switching to a backup traffic path by a label switching router in a multi-protocol label switching network

1. A method of switching data traffic to a predefined backup traffic path by an LSR (label switching router) in an MPLS (multi-protocol label switching) network, wherein the method comprises the LSR upon detection of failure of a protected path during an LDP (label distribution protocol) session:

maintaining an LDP session;

forwarding data traffic via the backup traffic path according to a forwarding table, the forwarding table containing logical output interface information including the outgoing label, the logical output interface, and the next hop of the predefined backup path; and

grouping LSPs that are associated with the LSR and having the same logical output interface ID to use a common predefined backup path.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the forwarding table comprises a status flag to indicate whether traffic is to be forwarded through a main protected LSP or a backup LSP associated with the LSR.

3. A method according to claim 2 , wherein the forwarding table also comprises information on the outgoing label, the logical output interface, and the next hop of the predefined backup path output interface and the next hop of the main protected LSP.

4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the forwarding table comprises label information of LSPs that are associated with the LSR and associated logical output interface ID on the LSR.

5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the backup path comprises either a LSP type or a tunnel type path.

6. A method according to claim 5 , wherein the method comprises organizing a two-level forwarding table, wherein the first level forwarding table comprises a plurality of label forwarding table entries each having the same logical output interface ID, and the second level forwarding table comprises information on the outgoing label, the logical output interface, and the next hop of a common predetermined backup path where the backup path is an LSP type; and wherein each one of the plurality of label forwarding table entries output of the first level forwarding table is linked to the second level forwarding table.

7. A method according to claim 5 , wherein the method comprises organizing a three-level forwarding table, wherein the first level forwarding table comprises a plurality of label forwarding table entries each having the same logical output interface ID; the second level forwarding table comprises information on the tunnel type and tunnel output ID where the backup path is a tunnel type; and the third level forwarding table comprises tunnel packaging table entry including information on the outgoing label, output interface and the next hop of the tunnel; and wherein each one of the plurality of label forwarding table entries output of the first level forwarding table is linked to the second level forwarding table, and the second level forwarding table is linked to the third level forwarding table.

8. A method according to claim 5 , wherein the method comprises organizing a three-level forwarding table, wherein the first level forwarding table comprises a plurality of label forwarding table entries each having the same logical output interface ID; the second level forwarding table comprises information on the tunnel type and tunnel output ID where the backup path is a tunnel type; and the third level forwarding table comprises tunnel packaging table entry including information on the source address and destination address of the tunnel; and wherein each one of the plurality of label forwarding table entries output of the first level forwarding table is linked to the second level forwarding table, and the second level forwarding table is linked to the third level forwarding table.

9. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the method comprises maintaining the LDP session in the control plane.

10. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the method comprises maintaining the LDP session by means of Targeted Hello messages.

11. A label switching router (LSR) for use in an MPLS network, the router comprising a processor upon detection of failure of a protected path during an LDP (label distribution protocol) session to execute stored instructions:

to maintain an LDP session;

to forward data traffic via the backup traffic path according to a forwarding table, the forwarding table containing logical output interface information including the outgoing label, the logical output interface, and the next hop of the predefined backup path, wherein the forwarding table comprises label information of LSPs that are associated with the LSR and associated logical output interface ID on the LSR; and

to group LSPs that are associated with the LSR and having the same logical output interface ID to use a common predefined backup path.

12. An LSR according to claim 11 , wherein the LSR is to maintain the LDP session in the control plane using Targeted Hello messages.

13. An LSR according to claim 11 , wherein the LSR is to set a status flag in the forwarding table to indicate whether traffic is to be forwarded through a main protected LSP or a backup LSP associated with the LSR.

14. An LSR according to claim 13 , wherein the LSR is to set the forwarding table to include information on the outgoing label, the logical output interface, and the next hop of the predefined backup path output interface and the next hop of the main protected LSP.

15. An LSR according to claim 11 , wherein the LSR is to compile the forwarding table in advance to include label information of LSPs that are associated with the LSR and associated logical output interface ID on the LSR.

16. An LSR according to claim 11 , wherein the LSR is to form the backup path as an LSP path or a tunnel type path.

17. A method of switching data traffic to a predefined backup traffic path by an LSR (label switching router) in an MPLS (multi-protocol label switching) network, wherein the method comprises the LSR upon detection of failure of a protected path during an LDP (label distribution protocol) session:

maintaining an LDP session;

forwarding data traffic via the backup traffic path according to a forwarding table, the forwarding table containing logical output interface information including the outgoing label, the logical output interface, and the next hop of the predefined backup path, wherein the backup path comprises either a LSP type or a tunnel type path; and

organizing a two-level forwarding table, wherein the first level forwarding table comprises a plurality of label forwarding table entries each having the same logical output interface ID, and the second level forwarding table comprises information on the outgoing label, the logical output interface, and the next hop of a common predetermined backup path where the backup path is an LSP type; and wherein each one of the plurality of label forwarding table entries output of the first level forwarding table is linked to the second level forwarding table.

18. The method according to claim 17 , further comprising:

maintaining the LDP session in the control plane.