Method and apparatus for neighborhood discovery across disparate point-to-point networks

Abstract

A method or apparatus in an exemplary embodiment supports first and second layer network nodes that may be configured to communicate with each other via a communications path. In embodiments a first network node communicates via a second network node across a layer 2 network to send data. The first network node is typically on a different link layer protocol than the second network node receiving the data. Thus, the first and second layer network nodes, having different link layer protocols, may communicate with each other. Accordingly, through use of embodiments of this invention, Neighbor Discovery (ND) is possible in a network, such as an IPv6 network, that has protocols incompatible with each other.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particular description of example embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a network diagram of a network depicting network nodes communicating with each other using an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a network diagram of a network transmitting network information using an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B shows a detailed diagram of how processing of a Provider Edge (PE) router determines unique identifiers of a network node;

FIG. 3 is a network diagram of a network depicting network communications via layer 3 protocol(s);

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an example technique of communicating between network nodes according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is flow diagram corresponding to communicating between network nodes.

Claims

1. A network, comprising: first and second layer B network nodes communicating with each other via a communications path;a first layer A network node communicating with a second layer A network node, each layer A network node communicating locally with respective layer B network nodes using different link layer protocols; andfirst and second discovery units, exchange units, and reporting units configured to operate in connection with respective first and second layer B network nodes to determine respective unique identifiers associated with the layer A network nodes, to exchange the unique identifiers with each other, and to provide the unique identifier of the distal layer A network node to the respective local layer A network nodes.

2. The network of claim 1 wherein the different link layer protocols are IPv6 protocols.

3. The network of claim 1 wherein the first and second layer A network nodes are layer 3 network nodes.

4. The network of claim 1 wherein the first and second layer B network nodes are layer 2 network nodes.

5. The network of claim 1 wherein the first and second layer B network nodes are switched network nodes.

6. The network of claim 1 wherein the first and second layer B network nodes are on a point to point network.

7. The network of claim 1 further including an interception unit to intercept a message and the first or second discovery units are configured to send a response based on the message.

8. The network of claim 1 wherein the first discovery unit communicates with the second layer A network node.

9. The network of claim 1 wherein the link layer protocols are selected from a group consisting of: Ethernet, VLAN, Frame Relay, or ATM.

10. A method for communicating between network nodes, comprising: communicating with a first layer B network node from a second layer B network node;communicating with a first layer A network node from a second layer A network node, each layer A network node communicating locally with respective layer B network nodes using different link layer protocols;determining respective unique identifiers associated with the layer A network nodes;exchanging the unique identifiers; andproviding the unique identifier of the distal layer A network node to the respective local layer A network node.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the different link layer protocols are IPv6 protocols.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the first and second layer A network nodes are layer 3 network nodes.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the first and second layer B network nodes are layer 2 network nodes.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the first and second layer B network nodes are switched network nodes.

15. The method of claim 10 further including intercepting a network message and sending a response based on the network message.

16. The method of claim 10 further including using the unique identifiers to provide a communications path between the first layer A network node and the second layer A network node.

17. The method of claim 10 wherein the link layer protocols are selected a group of consisting of: Ethernet, VLAN, Frame, Relay, or ATM.

18. A network node, comprising: a discovery unit to determine unique identifiers associated with a local layer A network node;an exchange unit to exchange the unique identifier with an exchange unit in a layer B network node; anda reporting unit configured to provide a unique identifier of a distal layer A network node received from the exchange unit in the layer B network node.