Patent ID: 8730815
Filing Date: 2014-05-20
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A node for an MPLS communications network, the node comprising: at least one interface for OAM information exchange relating to a path for data traffic between first and second other nodes each having a different OAM state machine configured to operate according to a respective variant of MPLS for OAM information exchange; and an OAM state machine mapper including a superset state machine configured to map states of either of the different OAM state machines into states recognised by the other of the different OAM state machines, the node being arranged to use the at least one interface to carry out the OAM information exchange between the first and second other nodes according to one of the different OAM state machines and according to states mapped from the other of the different OAM state machines, to support the path for data traffic through the node, the node being arranged further to modify an OAM message from the first other node to the second other node by changing, in the OAM message, a parameter specified according to the OAM state machine of the first other node to a parameter specified according to the OAM state machine of the second other node.