645 results about "Forwarding plane" patented technology

Packet switch operating methods and packet switches receive a plurality of packets using a forwarding plane of the packet switch. Each packet of the plurality conforms to a different one of a plurality of forwarding information formats. The methods and packet switches modify each packet of the plurality to conform to a common forwarding information format instead of a respective one of the plurality of forwarding information formats and forward the modified packets of the plurality to a control plane of the packet switch.

An information routing system and apparatus includes separate control and forwarding planes. The control plane is split into box management control functions and routing control functions. The box management control functions are isolated to a single processing card, while the routing control functions are distributed across multiple processing cards. The routing table is also distributed across multiple processing cards. The multiple processing cards are interconnected via a high-speed backplane bus for control plane traffic and by a fabric for forwarding plane traffic.

The invention discloses a controller for determining a network state based on an SDN (Software Defined Networking) and a determination method thereof. The controller comprises a state updating module, a calculation module, an execution module, a flow management module and an evaluation module, wherein the state updating module is used for updating through a state and a path calculated by the calculation module; the calculation module is used for calculating a current network resource state N; the execution module is used for setting rules according to the path calculated by the calculation module and writing the path into a flow meter; the flow management module is used for carrying out congestion avoidance, flow supervision and shaping; and the evaluation module is used for carrying out synthetic judgment according to the current network resource state N calculated by the calculation module and QoS (Quality of Service) requirements of an application when receiving the application transmitted by a switch. According to the controller, the network state can be accurately controlled, a forwarding plane is precisely controlled, a 'Q+X' resource distribution mode is proposed, and the network resource is scheduled, so that the flexibility, the high efficiency, the intelligence and the optimization of a network can be realized.

Some embodiments of the invention provide a robust scaling-out of network functionality by providing a software layer, called the network hypervisor, that sits between the network forwarding functions (i.e., the forwarding plane) and the network control interfaces (i.e., the control plane). The network hypervisor of some embodiments provides a logical abstraction of the network's forwarding functionality, so that network operators make their control decisions in terms of this abstraction, independent of the details of the underlying networking hardware. The network hypervisor of some embodiments may then “compile” commands placed against this abstraction into configurations of the underlying hardware. Accordingly, in some embodiments, there are two design challenges: (1) the choice of the network abstraction, and (2) the technology needed to compile the logical “abstract” controls into low-level configurations.

A network controller for managing a set of interconnection switching elements that connect segmented networks to a shared physical interconnection network. The network controller includes i) an interface for receiving a logical control plane definition of a logical switching element that couples to a set of network segments at different segmented networks; ii) a control application for translating the logical control plane definition of the logical switching element into a first set of flow entries in a logical forwarding plane; and iii) a virtualization application for translating the first set of flow entries into a second set of flow entries in a physical control plane. The flow entries in the physical control plane are for subsequent conversion by the managed interconnection switching elements into a third set of flow entries in a physical forwarding plane that directs the forwarding of network data by the managed interconnection switching elements.

Some embodiments provide a virtualizer for managing a plurality of managed switching elements that forward data through a network. The virtualizer comprises a first set of tables for storing input logical forwarding plane data and a second set of tables for storing output physical control plane data. It also includes a table mapping engine for mapping the input logical forwarding plane data in the first set of tables to output physical control plane data in the second set of tables by performing a set of database join operations on the input logical forwarding plane data in the first set of tables. In some embodiments, the physical control plane data is subsequently translated into physical forwarding behaviors that direct the forwarding of data by the managed switching elements.

Some embodiments provide a virtualizer for managing a plurality of managed switching elements that forward data through a network. The virtualizer comprises a first set of tables for storing input logical forwarding plane data and a second set of tables for storing output physical control plane data. It also includes a table mapping engine for mapping the input logical forwarding plane data in the first set of tables to output physical control plane data in the second set of tables by performing a set of database join operations on the input logical forwarding plane data in the first set of tables. In some embodiments, the physical control plane data is subsequently translated into physical forwarding behaviors that direct the forwarding of data by the managed switching elements.

A method and apparatus are disclosed herein for topology and / or path verification in networks. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed for use with a pre-determined subset of network flows for a communication network, where the network comprises a control plane, a forwarding plane, and one or more controllers. The method comprises installing forwarding rules on the forwarding elements for identification of network information, wherein the forwarding rules are grouped into one or more separate control flows, where each of the one or more control flows makes a closed loop walk through at least a portion of the network according to the forwarding rules of said each control flow, injecting traffic for one or more control flows onto the forwarding plane, and identifying the network information based on results of injecting the traffic.

An internetworking device that provides improved immunity to Denial of Service attacks, and in general, improved Quality of Service (QoS). An internetworking element or other route processor is composed of two main parts, including a data forwarding plane and a control plane; the control plane runs routing, signaling and control protocols that are responsible for determining the packet forwarding behavior by the data plane. Independent control plane processes may be provided; however, they are considered to be a single network entity that is a uniquely addressable port. Packets thus intended for the control plane always pass through a designated point. As a result, a set of port services unique to the control plane may be applied to the control plane port. These control plane port services thus can be utilized to control all packet traffic entering and exiting the control plane processes as a whole.

Systems and techniques for processing and forwarding packets are described. Some embodiments provide a system (e.g., a switch) which determines an internal virtual network identifier and / or an internal policy identifier for a packet based on a port on which the packet was received and / or one or more fields in the packet. The system can then process and forward the packet based on the internal virtual network identifier and / or internal policy identifier. In some embodiments, the system encapsulates the packet in a TRILL (Transparent Interconnection of Lots of Links) packet by adding a TRILL header to the packet. In some embodiments, the scope of an internal virtual network identifier and / or an internal policy identifier may not extend beyond a switch or a module within a switch.

Described is a process and system for providing an extensible forwarding plane data communications channel adapted to selectively support operations, administration and maintenance (OAM) activity within one or more different domains of an Ethernet transport network. The data communication channel is established using Ethernet protocol data units forwarded within the forwarding plane, between network elements. The Ethernet protocol data units can be Ethernet OAM frames modified to include an OpCode indicative of a maintenance communication channel. The OAM frames are generated at a selected one of the network elements (source), forwarded along the same network path as the Ethernet frames, and terminate at another network element (destination) associated with a maintenance level identified within the OAM frame. The source and destination network elements can reside on a domain boundary using the Ethernet OAM frames flowing therebetween to relay maintenance communications channel messages.

A Fast Reroute implementation where switchover time to backup tunnels upon failure of a protected network element is independent of a number of entries corresponding to forwarding equivalence classes forwarding over LSPs using that element. During normal operation of a packet forwarding device, adjacency information for a received packet is retrieved from a forwarding table based on a look-up of the packet's forwarding equivalence class. Upon failure of a link or node, the appropriate entries in this forwarding table are rewritten to implement the switchover to preconfigured backup tunnels. The switchover is effective even before the rewrite process has completed. Upon detection of the failure, forwarding processing shifts to a fix-up mode. During the fix-up mode, the look-up to the previously mentioned forwarding table is followed by a look-up to a backup tunnel adjacency table based on a pointer retrieved from the forwarding table. Operations relating to use of this backup tunnel adjacency table increase forwarding time somewhat but only during the special fix-up mode.

A method and apparatus for network monitoring using a proxy are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method generally comprises receiving at a proxy, path information for a label switched path (LSP) from a forwarding device located in the LSP, generating a connectivity verification message based on the path information, adding a proxy label to the connectivity verification message, and transmitting the connectivity verification message to the forwarding device. The proxy label is configured to inject the connectivity verification message into a forwarding plane at the forwarding device and the connectivity verification message is configured for transmittal from the forwarding device over the LSP to a destination node to verify a forwarding path associated with the path information received from the forwarding device.

Some embodiments provide a distributed control system for controlling managed switching elements of a network. The distributed control system comprises a first controller for converting a first set of input logical control plane data to a first set of output logical forwarding plane data. It also includes a second controller for converting a second set of input logical control plane data to a second set of output logical forwarding plane data. The logical forwarding plane data is translated into physical forwarding behaviors that direct the forwarding of data by the managed switching elements.

The invention provides a discovery method and device based on an Open Flow protocol for a control plane device. The method comprises the steps of receiving identification information from a forwarding plane device based on the Open Flow protocol, wherein the identification information is the identification information of the forwarding plane device, the identification information is corresponding to information of the control plane device in a management information base (MIB); matching the identification information in the MIB to obtain the information of the control plane device; and sending the information of the control plane device to the forwarding plane device. By means of the technical scheme, the technical problem that the forwarding plane device cannot discover the control plane device automatically and effectively in relevant technologies is solved, the forwarding plane device can discover the control plane device automatically and can further perform self-adaptive adjusting on the control plane device.

Some embodiments provide a network virtualizer for managing several managed switching elements that forward data in a network. The virtualizer includes an interface for receiving input logical forwarding plane data. It also includes a converter for converting the input logical forwarding plane data to output physical control plane data. In some embodiments, the physical control plane data is translation into physical forwarding plane data that direct the forwarding of data by the managed switching elements.

A method and apparatus for network monitoring using a proxy are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method generally comprises receiving at a proxy, path information for a label switched path (LSP) from a forwarding device located in the LSP, generating a connectivity verification message based on the path information, adding a proxy label to the connectivity verification message, and transmitting the connectivity verification message to the forwarding device. The proxy label is configured to inject the connectivity verification message into a forwarding plane at the forwarding device and the connectivity verification message is configured for transmittal from the forwarding device over the LSP to a destination node to verify a forwarding path associated with the path information received from the forwarding device.

A method to provide high availability in network elements using distributed architectures. The method employs multiple software components that are distributed across data / forwarding plane and control plane elements in a network element. The software components in the data / forwarding plane include active and standby components. Components in the control plane are provided to communicate with the components in the data / forwarding plane. A keep-alive messaging mechanism is used to monitor operation of the various elements in the network element. Upon detection of a failure to a hardware or software component, the data / forwarding plane and / or control plane elements are reconfigured, as applicable, to replace a failed active component with a corresponding standby component. This enables the network element to be reconfigured in a manner that is transparent to other network elements, and provided high availability for the network element.

The present invention provides a routing architecture including a control plane, a compute plane, and a forward plane. The forward plane provides traditional forwarding of packets to the next-hop address, along with any necessary header manipulation, while the control plane configures the forward plane and the compute plane for desired operation. The compute plane is configured for high-speed processing of packets to provide application level support, including manipulating application data in the payload of the packets during routing. The forward plane preferably implements forwarding rules using filters sufficient to forward a received packet to the next-hop address, to the compute plane for application processing, or to the control plane to facilitate control or configuration.

Some embodiments provide a controller for managing several managed switching elements that forward data in a network. The controller includes an interface for receiving input logical control plane data in terms of input events data. The controller includes an input scheduler for (1) categorizing the input events data into different groups based on certain criteria and (2) scheduling supplying of the input event data into a converter based on the groups so that the converter processes a group of input events data together. The controller includes the converter for converting the input logical control plane data to output logical forwarding plane data. The controller includes a network information base (NIB) data structure module for storing the output logical forwarding plane data. The logical forwarding plane data is for subsequent translation into physical control plane data.

Strategy stream mode adopted in the disclosed method and device is realized to support forwarding both IPv4 and IPv6 in same physical pipeline. Based on data stream types of different target IP, multielement attribute set of corresponding data packet is picked up, and strategy stream id is calculated. Forwarding entries of strategy stream is searched accurately based on the said id. If there is matched entry of strategy stream found, then modifying relevant content and forwarding operation are carried out according to the said entry. If there is no matched entry, then corresponding treatment is carried out for the data packet by control plane based on the attribute of the data packet. Synthesizing information in control plane and entry information related to applications generates a piece of forwarding entry for local strategy stream. The said generated forwarding entry is distributed to forwarding plane for latter data packet to use so as to avoid looking up packet of IPv4 or IPv6.

Some embodiments provide a controller for managing several managed switching elements that forward data in a network. The controller includes an interface for receiving input logical control plane data. It also includes a converter for converting the input logical control plane data to output logical forwarding plane data. The logical forwarding plane data for subsequent translation into a set of physical forwarding behaviors that direct the forwarding of data by the managed switching elements.

A method for hitless restart of layer 3 packet forwarding includes replicating some but not all state information from a master management service module to a slave management service module. The master management service module builds a layer 3 routing table by participating in layer 3 routing protocols. The layer 3 routing table is stored in memory. The master management service module builds a first layer 3 forwarding table and stores the forwarding information in hardware. A slave management service module receives a copy of the first layer 3 forwarding table from the master management service module. When the master management service module fails, the slave management service module initiates construction of a routing table by participating in layer 3 routing protocols. Packet forwarding is not interrupted because forwarding using hardware entries continues. The slave management service module links entries in the newly constructed routing table to those stored in the forwarding table.

A managed hardware forwarding element (MHFE) that performs packet forwarding operations for a logical network is described. The MHFE receives configuration data for the logical network that defines a logical router and a set of logical switches for logically connecting several end machines that operate on different host machines to several physical machines that are connected to the MHFE. The logical router also includes multiple routing components. The MHFE also receives a first forwarding table and a second forwarding table. The first forwarding table stores linking data for each logical port of each logical switch in the set of logical switches that identifies a corresponding routing component in the logical router. The second forwarding table stores a set of routes for each routing component of the logical router. The MHFE uses the first and second forwarding tables to perform packet forwarding operations at the MHFE.

A network control system that includes a first set of network controllers for (i) receiving a logical control plane definition of a logical switching element that couples to both a first set of network hosts in a first domain and a second set of network hosts in a second domain, (ii) translating the logical control plane definition of the logical switching element into a first set of flow entries in a first logical forwarding plane, and (iii) translating the first set of flow entries into a second set of flow entries in a second logical forwarding plane. The network control system includes a second set of network controllers in the first domain for (i) receiving a portion of the second set of flow entries and (ii) translating the portion of the second set of flow entries into a third set of flow entries in a physical control plane.

A controller for managing several managed switching elements that forward data in a network is described. The controller includes an interface for receiving input logical control plane data in terms of input events data. The controller includes a converter for converting the input logical control plane data to output logical forwarding plane data by processing the input events data. The logical forwarding plane data is for subsequent translation into physical control plane data. The controller includes an input scheduler for (1) categorizing the input events data into different groups based on certain criteria and (2) supplying the input events data into the converter in a manner that each different group of input events data is processed separately by the converter.

In a method for forwarding packets in a network device a plurality of hash values is generated based on a lookup key. The plurality of hash values includes at least a first hash value generated using a first hash function, a second hash value generated using a second hash function and a third hash value generated using a third hash function. The third hash function is different from the first hash function and the second hash function. A lookup table is searched using the first hash value and the second hash value to determine an offset for the lookup key. Then, a forwarding table is searched using the third hash value and the offset determined for the lookup key to select a forwarding entry corresponding to the lookup key. The packet is forwarded to one or more ports of the network device based on the selected forwarding entry.

A controller for distributing logical control plane data to other controllers is described. The controller includes an interface for receiving user inputs to define logical datapath sets. The controller includes a translator for translating the user inputs to output logical control plane data. The logical control plane data is for subsequent translation into logical forwarding plane data by several other controllers. The controller includes a scheduler for (1) storing the output logical control plane data in a plurality of storage structures, each storage structure corresponding to one of the other controllers and (2) sending the output logical control plane data to the other controllers from the corresponding storage structure.

Some embodiments provide a network virtualization apparatus for managing a plurality of managed switching elements that forward data in a network. The network virtualization apparatus comprises a controller for converting logical control plane data to logical forwarding plane data. It also includes a virtualizer for converting the logical forwarding plane data to physical control plane data. In some embodiments, the physical control plane data is subsequently translated into physical forwarding plane data that direct the forwarding of data by the managed switching elements.