Patent ID: 8625410
Filing Date: 2014-01-07
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A system for controlling packet forwarding through a dual-homed connection between first and second network domains, the dual-homed connection comprising two peer nodes connected to the first and second network domains, the system comprising: a sub-ring network instantiated in the first network domain and comprising at least two nodes connected in a linear topology between a pair of end-nodes, each end-node corresponding with a respective one of the peer nodes; and a virtual link through the second network domain for conveying traffic of the sub-ring network between the peer nodes, the virtual link closing the sub-ring network to define a ring topology; wherein each of the nodes of the sub-ring network is controlled to forward packets of the sub-ring network and through the virtual link in accordance with an Ethernet ring protection routing scheme; wherein one node of the sub-ring network is designated as a Ring Protection Link Owner that imposes a channel block on an adjacent link of the sub-network during normal operation of the sub-ring network thereby guaranteeing a loop free topology in both the first and second network domains and restores packet forwarding between the first and second network domains by removing the channel block in a failure mode of the sub-ring network; wherein the Ethernet ring protection routing scheme operates in accordance with ITU-T SG15/Q9 recommendation G.8032 (February, 2008) with the sub-ring network and the virtual link forming a ring contained in separate domains comprising the first network domain and the second network domain; and wherein the Ethernet ring protection routing scheme operates in both the first and second network domains utilizing the virtual link in the second network domain for sending traffic without sending sub-ring control messages comprising Failure Indication Messages therethrough during all operations of the sub-ring network.