Service flow transmission method, apparatus, device, and readable storage medium

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide a service flow transmission method, device and equipment and readable storage medium, relating to the technical field of communication, and applied to a first communication device. The first communication device and a second communication device are members of a cross-device link aggregation group (M-LAG). The first communication device is a transparent node of a first service flow group, and the second communication device is a selective node of the first service flow group. The method comprises: when the second communication device fails, changing the first communication device from a transparent node of the first service flow group to a selective node of the first service flow group. The first communication device directly selects the service flow of the first service flow group that is originally selected on the failed device, which can quickly restore the normal transmission of the service flow of the first service flow group, greatly reduce the packet loss time of all service flows of the first service flow group, and improve the transmission quality of the service flow.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a service flow transmission method, apparatus, device, and readable storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] Multiple-transmission selective-receiver technology improves the reliability and efficiency of data transmission through redundant data transmission. When a replicating node transmits a service stream to an selective-receiver node, it replicates the original service stream to obtain multiple service streams, and then transmits these multiple service streams to the selective-receiver node through different transmission links. The selective-receiver node selects one of the multiple service streams for forwarding. In this way, if packet loss occurs on one transmission link, the selective-receiver node can still obtain the lost data packets through another transmission link, resulting in higher data transmission reliability.

[0003] Multichassis link aggregation group (M-LAG) technology is a mechanism for achieving cross-device link aggregation. M-LAG members establish link aggregation relationships with upstream communication devices. In this way, M-LAG members can share the load and jointly forward traffic to the upstream communication devices.

[0004] With the evolution of network technology, when M-LAG scenarios integrate multiple-selection reception technology, M-LAG members can act as selection nodes to jointly select and receive service flows. For scenarios where M-LAG members fail, how to quickly restore the transmission of service flows selected and received on the failed member, and reduce packet loss time, becomes an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a service flow transmission method, apparatus, device, and readable storage medium for rapidly transmitting service flows in the event of a communication device failure.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the embodiments of this application adopt the following technical solutions:

[0007] Firstly, a service flow transmission method is provided, which is applied to a first communication device. The first and second communication devices are members of a cross-device link aggregation group (M-LAG). The first communication device is configured as a transparent transmission node of the first service flow group, and the second communication device is configured as a selective reception node of the first service flow group. When the first communication device detects a fault in the second communication device, it changes itself from a transparent transmission node to a selective reception node of the first service flow group. In this way, the first communication device can directly select and receive the service flows of the originally transparent first service flow group, enabling rapid restoration of normal transmission of the service flows of the first service flow group.

[0008] This application embodiment achieves rapid service flow switching at the service flow group granularity. When the first communication device detects a fault in the second communication device, it can switch all service flows of the first service flow group selected by the second communication device to be selected by the first communication device at once. This can greatly reduce the packet loss time of all service flows in the first service flow group, improve the recovery time of service flow transmission faults to the millisecond level, and improve the transmission quality of service flows. Furthermore, it improves the reliability of the communication system.

[0009] In an optional implementation, when the second communication device recovers from the failure, the first communication device can also restore itself as a transparent node of the first service flow group.

[0010] In an optional implementation, the first and second communication devices can share the load, with the first and second communication devices respectively configured as a pass-through node for at least one service flow group and a select-receive node for at least one service flow group. As an example: the first communication device is a pass-through node for the first service flow group and a select-receive node for the second service flow group, and the second communication device is a select-receive node for the first service flow group and a pass-through node for the second service flow group. Thus, when one of the communication devices fails, the service flow groups that were originally selected and received on the failed communication device can be switched to the normally functioning communication device for selection and reception.

[0011] In one optional implementation, at the service flow level, when the second communication device is working normally, the first communication device is configured as a pass-through node for each service flow in the first service flow group and a selective receiving node for each service flow in the second service flow group. When the second communication device fails, the first communication device configures itself as a selective receiving node for each service flow in the first service flow group. This embodiment configures the first and second communication devices based on service flows, which improves configuration flexibility.

[0012] In one optional implementation, using service flow groups as the granularity, when the second communication device is working normally, the first communication device is configured as a transparent transmission node for the first service flow group and a selective reception node for the second service flow group. When the second communication device fails, the first communication device configures itself as a selective reception node for the first service flow group. This embodiment configures the first and second communication devices based on service flow groups, which allows for the configuration of forwarding behavior for multiple service flows at once, improving configuration efficiency.

[0013] In one optional implementation, the first service flow group is associated with all service flows selected and received by the second communication device during normal operation, and the second service flow group is associated with all service flows selected and received by the first communication device.

[0014] In an optional implementation, the second communication device failure includes: a peer-link failure between the first and second communication devices; or a device failure in the second communication device.

[0015] In an optional implementation, after the first communication device becomes the receiving node of the second service flow group, it can send a first message to the controller so that the controller can know the transmission path of the current service flow of the second service flow group, which facilitates the controller to perform network operation and maintenance.

[0016] In a second aspect, a first communication device is provided, wherein the first communication device and the second communication device are members of a cross-device link aggregation group (M-LAG), the first communication device is a pass-through node of a first service flow group, and the second communication device is a selective receiving node of the first service flow group. The first communication device includes a processing unit, which is configured to: change the first communication device from a pass-through node of the first service flow group to a selective receiving node of the first service flow group when the second communication device fails.

[0017] In an optional implementation, the processing unit is further configured to: restore the first communication device from the receiving node of the first service flow group to the transparent transmission node of the first service flow group after the second communication device recovers from the fault.

[0018] In one optional implementation, the first communication device is the receiving node of the second service flow group, and the second communication device is the transparent transmission node of the second service flow group, wherein the second service flow group is associated with at least one service flow.

[0019] In an optional implementation, when the second communication device is working normally, the first communication device is configured as a pass-through node for each service flow in the first service flow group, and the first communication device is configured as a selective receiving node for each service flow in the second service flow group; the processing unit is specifically used to: when the second communication device fails, configure the first communication device as a selective receiving node for each service flow in the first service flow group.

[0020] In an optional implementation, when the second communication device is working normally, the first communication device is configured as a transparent node of the first service flow group and as a selective receiving node of the second service flow group; the processing unit is specifically used to: when the second communication device fails, configure the first communication device as a selective receiving node of the first service flow group.

[0021] In one optional implementation, at least one service flow associated with the first service flow group includes all service flows selected by the second communication device during normal operation; at least one service flow associated with the second service flow group includes all service flows selected by the first communication device.

[0022] In an optional implementation, the second communication device failure includes: a peer-link failure between the first and second communication devices, or a device failure in the second communication device.

[0023] In an optional implementation, the first communication device further includes a transceiver unit; the transceiver unit is configured to: send first information to the controller, the first information being used to instruct the first communication device to change to a receiving node of the first service flow group.

[0024] Thirdly, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the communication device to perform a traffic flow transmission method as provided in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0025] Fourthly, a chip is provided, the chip including a processor and an interface circuit, the processor and the interface circuit being used to support the chip in performing a service flow transmission method as provided in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0026] Fifthly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein a computer program or instructions are stored therein, which, when executed, implement the service flow transmission method provided by the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0027] In a sixth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising: a computer program (or code, or instructions) that, when executed, causes a computer to perform a business flow transmission method provided by the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0028] In a seventh aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising a first communication device, a second communication device, and a controller. The first and second communication devices perform link aggregation with an upstream communication device; the controller is configured to configure the first communication device as a transparent transmission node of a first service flow group and the second communication device as a selective reception node of the first service flow group; the first communication device is configured to execute the service flow transmission method provided by the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0029] Understandably, the beneficial effects achieved by any of the communication devices, chips, computer-readable storage media, computer program products, and communication systems provided above can be referred to in relation to the beneficial effects of the service flow transmission methods provided above, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication network shown in an embodiment of this application;

[0031] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a cross-device link aggregation group (M-LAG) according to an embodiment of this application;

[0032] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a network combining multiple transmit / receive technology and M-LAG technology, as shown in an embodiment of this application.

[0033] Figure 4 This application provides a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication network according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0034] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating a service flow transmission method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0035] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating another service flow transmission method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0036] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0037] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that there are three relationships. For example, A and / or B means: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c means: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, a, b, and c; where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0039] The embodiments of this application use terms such as "first" and "second" to distinguish objects with similar names, functions, or roles. Those skilled in the art will understand that the terms "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or order of execution. In this application, words such as "exemplarily" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is being described as an example, illustration, or illustration. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplarily" or "for example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design solutions. Specifically, the use of words such as "exemplarily" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete manner.

[0040] Multiple-transmission selective-receiver (MDR) technology, as a packet loss mitigation technique, improves the reliability and efficiency of data transmission through redundant data transmission. When a replicating node transmits data to a selective-receiver node, it copies the original data to obtain multiple copies, and then transmits these multiple copies to the selective-receiver node via different transmission links. After obtaining multiple copies of the data, the selective-receiver node selects one copy for forwarding. Thus, if packet loss occurs on one transmission link, the selective-receiver node can retrieve the lost data through another transmission link. Therefore, data retransmission is unnecessary, resulting in higher reliability and efficiency in data transmission.

[0041] The IEEE 802.1CB protocol defines a multiple-send-select scheme, namely frame replication and elimination for reliability (FRER). FRER technology improves the reliability of data transmission by setting up redundant transmission links in the communication network and transmitting redundant data in parallel. Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a communication network according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 1 As shown, the communication network includes nodes 101, 102, 103, and 104 connected in sequence. Node 102 is a replication node (also called a frame replication node), and node 103 is a selective reception node (also called a frame cancellation node). Multiple transmission links connect nodes 102 and 103. Figure 1 Take transmission link 1 and transmission link 2 as examples.

[0042] For example, when node 102 receives the original service flow from node 101, node 102 copies the packets of the original service flow to obtain a first service flow and a second service flow. Node 102 transmits the first service flow to node 103 via transmission link 1, and transmits the second service flow to node 103 via transmission link 2. Node 103 selects corresponding packets from the first and second service flows, reconstructs a service flow, and transmits the service flow to node 104.

[0043] In one possible implementation, the multiple-send selective-receive scheme can be combined with M-LAG technology. The M-LAG technology will be introduced below:

[0044] M-LAG technology is a mechanism for enabling cross-device link aggregation. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a cross-device link aggregation group (M-LAG) according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 As shown, communication devices 201 and 202 are M-LAG members. Communication devices 201 and 202 are dual-homed to communication device 203 and perform cross-device link aggregation with communication device 203 in the same state to form a dual-active system.

[0045] The M-LAG mechanism logically virtualizes dual-homed communication devices 201 and 202 into a single device, effectively establishing a link aggregation relationship between communication device 203 and another device. This allows communication devices 201 and 202 to share the load and jointly forward traffic to communication device 203. If one device fails, traffic forwarded on the failed device can be switched to the other device to ensure normal traffic forwarding. Therefore, M-LAG can improve link reliability from the board level to the device level.

[0046] M-LAG members communicate via peer-links and dual-master detection links. Peer-links are direct aggregation links between M-LAG members, used to transmit synchronization messages (such as MAC entries and ARP entries), forward cross-device traffic from non-M-LAG member interfaces or traffic from M-LAG single-homed member interfaces in fault scenarios, or transmit negotiation messages to negotiate the master / standby status of the two devices in the M-LAG system. The interfaces at both ends of the peer-link are peer-link interfaces. The dual-master detection link, also known as a heartbeat link, is a Layer 3 interconnection link. Normally, the dual-master detection link does not participate in traffic forwarding. Only in M-LAG fault scenarios do M-LAG members send dual-master detection messages through the dual-master detection link to detect whether an M-LAG member has experienced a device failure.

[0047] The following explains the possible malfunctions of M-LAG:

[0048] Potential M-LAG failures include peer-link failures and device failures within M-LAG members. In one possible implementation, M-LAG members can detect the type of M-LAG failure by sensing the interface status of the peer-link interface and sending dual-master detection messages to the dual-master detection link.

[0049] Taking the aforementioned communication device 201 as an example, when communication device 201 detects that the peer-link interface status is down, it sends a dual-master detection message to communication device 202 via the dual-master detection link. This dual-master detection message is used to request a feedback message from communication device 202. If communication device 201 receives a feedback message from communication device 202 within a specified time, communication device 201 determines that a peer-link failure has occurred; if communication device 201 does not receive a feedback message from communication device 202 within a specified time, communication device 201 determines that communication device 202 has experienced a device failure. It is understood that M-LAG members can detect peer-link failures and other members' device failures based on the above method. The above description uses communication device 201 as an example only, and this application embodiment does not specifically limit the device used for fault detection.

[0050] When a peer-link fails, M-LAG members become multiple independent devices. If multiple independent devices forward traffic simultaneously, it can cause broadcast storms, MAC address drift, and other problems. In this situation, M-LAG members negotiate to allow only one device in the M-LAG to forward traffic, while the others cease forwarding traffic. When the peer-link is restored, multiple M-LAG members resume simultaneously forwarding traffic.

[0051] When one M-LAG member experiences a device failure, the other M-LAG member that is not experiencing a device failure forwards the traffic. Once the device failure is resolved, all M-LAG members resume forwarding traffic simultaneously.

[0052] Based on the aforementioned multiple-shot selective reception technology and M-LAG technology, Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a network combining multiple-send selective-receive technology and M-LAG technology is shown. Figure 3 As shown, this network includes an access layer, an aggregation layer, and a core layer. For example, the access layer connects user-side devices, and the core layer connects service-side devices.

[0053] The access layer comprises multiple communication devices forming a loop. These communication devices include M-LAG members, and the access layer connects to the aggregation layer through these M-LAG members. Figure 3 For example, the access layer includes communication devices S1 to S6 forming a loop. Among them, S5 and S6 are M-LAG members, connected to each other via a peer-link, and S5 and S6 respectively perform cross-device link aggregation with communication devices S7 and S8 in the aggregation layer.

[0054] In one implementation, the access layer transmits service flows to the aggregation layer based on multiple-transmission selective reception (MTCR) technology. The controller plans the transmission path for each service flow and configures the communication devices in the access layer based on the planning results. In this embodiment, M-LAG members are configured as selective reception nodes. Based on a load balancing strategy, the controller can configure one member of M-LAG as the selective reception node for one portion of the service flows and another member of M-LAG as the selective reception node for another portion of the service flows.

[0055] The following example illustrates how M-LAG members can load balance between two service flows:

[0056] First, configure replication nodes and selective receiving nodes for service flow A and service flow B respectively. The replication nodes for service flow A and service flow B can be configured as the same node, or they can be configured as different nodes to achieve load sharing. Then, configure one member of M-LAG as the selective receiving node for service flow A, and another member of M-LAG as the selective receiving node for service flow B. In one example, S1 can be configured as the replication node for service flow A and S5 as the selective receiving node for service flow A, and S2 can be configured as the replication node for service flow B and S6 as the selective receiving node for service flow B. Those skilled in the art will understand that S1 can also be configured as the replication node for service flow B and S2 as the replication node for service flow A, or S1 or S2 can be configured as the replication node for both service flow A and service flow B, or S6 can be configured as the selective receiving node for service flow A and S5 as the selective receiving node for service flow B, etc. This application does not limit this.

[0057] Taking S1 as the replication node for service flow A and S5 as the selective receiving node for service flow A, and S2 as the replication node for service flow B and S6 as the selective receiving node for service flow B, under normal circumstances, S1 replicates the received service flow A to obtain two service flows A. The transmission path of one service flow A is S1→S3→S5, and the transmission path of the other service flow A is S1→S2→S4→S6→S5 (shown by solid lines with arrows). S5 selectively receives both service flows A and transmits one service flow A to S7 (or S8). It can be understood that M-LAG member S6 is the transparent transmission node for service flow A. Additionally, S2 replicates the received service flow B to obtain two service flows B. The transmission path of one service flow B is S2→S1→S3→S5→S6, and the transmission path of the other service flow B is S2→S4→S6 (shown by dashed lines with arrows). S6 selectively receives both service flows B and transmits one service flow B to S7 (or S8). Understandably, M-LAG member S5 is the pass-through node for business flow B.

[0058] If S5 fails, service flow A cannot be transmitted normally to the aggregation layer; if S6 fails, service flow B cannot be transmitted normally to the aggregation layer. In other words, a failure in one member of the M-LAG will cause some service flows to fail to transmit normally. One possible solution is for the controller to detect the failure of an M-LAG member, replan the path for all service flows, and reconfigure the communication devices, redirecting all service flows to the M-LAG member that is not experiencing a failure. However, because the controller takes a long time to detect the failure and replanning the path is very time-consuming, this can lead to excessively long packet loss times for service flows that were originally selected on the failed M-LAG member, severely impacting normal service operation. Therefore, how to quickly restore the normal transmission of service flows that were originally selected on the failed M-LAG member and reduce packet loss time when one member of the M-LAG fails becomes a pressing problem to solve.

[0059] To address the aforementioned problems, this application provides a service flow transmission method. In this embodiment, service flows are divided into service flow groups. One member of an M-LAG is configured as a transparent transmission node of a first service flow group, and another member of the M-LAG is configured as a selective reception node of the first service flow group. The first service flow group is associated with one or more service flows. When a member of the M-LAG that is selecting the first service flow group fails, the other member of the M-LAG changes itself from a transparent transmission node to a selective reception node of the first service flow group. In this way, the first service flow group is quickly switched to local selective reception, thus rapidly restoring normal transmission of the service flows in the first service flow group, reducing packet loss time, and improving the transmission reliability of the service flows.

[0060] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to various networking environments. The networking environment of this application embodiment will be described below with reference to an example.

[0061] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a communication network provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 4 As shown, the communication network includes communication devices S1 to S(i+k) forming a loop. Communication devices S(i-1) and Si are M-LAG members, connected via a peer-link, and each performs cross-device link aggregation with communication device Sm. Here, i and k are both positive integers. For example, the hardware implementation of communication devices S1 and S(i+k) for receiving service flows can be a network device, such as a router, switch, or end-side device, or a component (e.g., a board) or chip within the network device used to implement the above functions. The hardware implementation of other communication devices can be a router or a switch.

[0062] The controller plans paths for service flows in the network and configures each communication device based on the planning results. In this embodiment, the controller plans the transparent transmission node of the first service flow group as communication device S(i-1) and the selective reception node of the first service flow group as communication device Si. The controller configures communication device S(i-1) and communication device Si based on the planning results.

[0063] In one possible implementation, the controller configures communication device S(i-1) and communication device Si based on the service flow.

[0064] In this configuration, communication device S(i-1) is configured as the transparent transmission node for each service flow in the first service flow group, and communication device Si is configured as the selective reception node for each service flow in the first service flow group.

[0065] Taking communication device S(i-1) as an example, assume that the first service flow group includes M service flows, where M is a positive integer. In one example, communication device S(i-1) includes association information indicating that the aforementioned M service flows are associated with the first service flow group. Additionally, communication device S(i-1) includes M configuration information entries corresponding to each of the M service flows. Each configuration entry indicates the forwarding behavior for the corresponding service flow. For example, if service flow A is a service flow in the first service flow group, then the configuration information corresponding to service flow A may include the identification information of service flow A (such as the five-tuple information of service flow A) and forwarding information indicating that the forwarding behavior is transparent transmission. Thus, communication device S(i-1) can transparently transmit service flow A based on the configuration information corresponding to service flow A.

[0066] Similarly, in one example, the communication device Si also includes association information indicating that the aforementioned M service flows are associated with the first service flow group. Additionally, the communication device Si includes M configuration information entries corresponding to each of the M service flows. Each configuration entry indicates the forwarding behavior for the corresponding service flow. Taking service flow A as an example, the configuration information corresponding to service flow A in the communication device Si may include the identification information of service flow A (such as the five-tuple information of service flow A) and forwarding information indicating that the forwarding behavior is selective reception. Thus, the communication device Si can selectively receive service flow A based on the configuration information corresponding to service flow A.

[0067] In one possible implementation, communication device S(i-1) and communication device Si implement load sharing, with a portion of the service flows being selected and received on communication device S(i-1) and a portion of the service flows being selected and received on communication device Si. For example, communication device S(i-1) is configured as a pass-through node for each service flow in the first service flow group and a selection node for each service flow in the second service flow group, and communication device Si is configured as a selection node for each service flow in the first service flow group and a pass-through node for each service flow in the second service flow group.

[0068] Taking communication device S(i-1) as an example, assume the second service flow group includes N service flows, where N is a positive integer. In one example, the associated information included in the configured communication device S(i-1) is also used to indicate the association of the aforementioned N service flows with the second service flow group. Additionally, communication device S(i-1) includes M+N configuration information entries corresponding to each of the M+N service flows. Each configuration entry indicates the forwarding behavior for the corresponding service flow. For example, if service flow A is a service flow in the first service flow group, then the configuration information corresponding to service flow A may include the identification information of service flow A (e.g., the five-tuple information of service flow A) and forwarding information indicating that the forwarding behavior is transparent. Similarly, if service flow B is a service flow in the second service flow group, then the configuration information corresponding to service flow B may include the identification information of service flow B (e.g., the five-tuple information of service flow B) and forwarding information indicating that the forwarding behavior is selective reception. Similarly, the communication device Si is similar to the communication device S(i-1) described above, except that in the communication device Si, the forwarding information included in the configuration information of each service flow in the first service flow group indicates that the forwarding behavior is selective reception, and the forwarding information included in the configuration information of each service flow in the second service flow group indicates that the forwarding behavior is transparent transmission.

[0069] In another possible implementation, the controller configures communication device S(i-1) and communication device Si based on the service flow group.

[0070] In this configuration, communication device S(i-1) is configured as the transparent transmission node of the first service flow group, and communication device Si is configured as the selective reception node of the first service flow group.

[0071] Taking communication device S(i-1) as an example, assuming the first service flow group includes M service flows, where M is a positive integer, in one example, the configured communication device S(i-1) includes association information indicating that the aforementioned M service flows are associated with the first service flow group. Additionally, communication device S(i-1) includes first configuration information indicating that the forwarding behavior corresponding to the first service flow group is transparent. In one example, the first configuration information includes group identifier information of the first service flow group and forwarding information indicating that the forwarding behavior is transparent; in another example, the first configuration information includes identifier information of all service flows in the first service flow group and forwarding information indicating that the forwarding behavior is transparent.

[0072] Similarly, the configured communication device Si also includes association information, which indicates that the aforementioned M service flows are associated with the first service flow group. Additionally, the communication device Si includes second configuration information. This second configuration information is used to indicate that the forwarding behavior corresponding to the first service flow group is selective reception. In one example, the second configuration information includes the group identifier information of the first service flow group and forwarding information indicating that the forwarding behavior is selective reception; in another example, the first configuration information includes the identifier information of all service flows in the first service flow group and forwarding information indicating that the forwarding behavior is selective reception.

[0073] In one possible implementation, communication device S(i-1) and communication device Si share the load, with a portion of the service flow being selected and received on communication device S(i-1) and a portion of the service flow being selected and received on communication device Si. For example, communication device S(i-1) is configured as a pass-through node for a first service flow group and a selection node for a second service flow group, and communication device Si is configured as a selection node for the first service flow group and a pass-through node for the second service flow group.

[0074] Taking communication device S(i-1) as an example again, assume that the second service flow group includes N service flows, where N is a positive integer. In one example, the associated information included in the configured communication device S(i-1) is also used to indicate that the aforementioned N service flows are associated with the second service flow group. In addition, communication device S(i-1) also includes third configuration information, which indicates that the forwarding behavior corresponding to the second service flow group is selective reception. In one example, the third configuration information includes the group identifier information of the second service flow group and forwarding information indicating that the forwarding behavior is selective reception; in another example, the third configuration information includes the identifier information of all service flows in the second service flow group and forwarding information indicating that the forwarding behavior is selective reception. Similarly, the configured communication device Si is similar to the above communication device S(i-1), and communication device Si also includes fourth configuration information, which indicates that the forwarding behavior corresponding to the second service flow group is transparent transmission.

[0075] Based on the above network environment, Figure 5This is a flowchart illustrating a service flow transmission method provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 5 As shown, the service stream transmission method includes the following steps:

[0076] S501, The first communication device detects whether the second communication device is faulty.

[0077] In this configuration, the first communication device and the second communication device are members of the M-LAG. The first communication device is configured as a transparent node of the first service flow group, and the second communication device is configured as a selective receiving node of the first service flow group. For example, the first communication device may be as described above. Figure 4 The communication device S(i-1) shown above, the second communication device can be the one described above. Figure 4 The communication device Si is shown. The configuration of the first and second communication devices can be referred to... Figure 4 The configuration of communication device S(i-1) and communication device Si in the illustrated embodiment will not be described in detail here.

[0078] Since the first communication device and the second communication device are members of M-LAG, they can mutually detect each other's malfunctions based on the M-LAG detection mechanism. This application embodiment uses the example of the first communication device monitoring the malfunction of the second communication device for illustration.

[0079] For example, a second communication device failure may include a peer-link failure between the first and second communication devices; or a device failure in the second communication device.

[0080] S502. When the second communication device fails, the first communication device is changed to the receiving node of the first service flow group.

[0081] When the first communication device detects a second communication failure, it changes itself from a pass-through node to a select-receive node for the first service flow group. In this way, the service flows originally selected for reception on the second communication device are switched to be selected for reception on the first communication device. The first communication device no longer passes through the received service flows of the first service flow group to the second communication device, but instead directly forwards the service flows of the first service flow group to the upstream communication device to ensure the normal forwarding of the service flows of the first service flow group.

[0082] For example, if the controller configures the first and second communication devices based on the service flow, then when the second communication device fails, the first communication device will configure itself as the receiving node for each service flow in the first service flow group.

[0083] The first communication device includes configuration information corresponding to each service flow. The first communication device modifies the configuration information of each service flow in the first service flow group, changing the forwarding behavior indicated by the configuration information of each service flow in the first service flow group to selective reception (linked change).

[0084] For example, if the controller configures the first communication device and the second communication device based on the service flow group, then when the second communication device fails, the first communication device will configure itself as the selective receiving node of the first service flow group.

[0085] The first communication device includes first configuration information, which is the configuration information corresponding to the first service flow group. The first communication device modifies the first configuration information so that the modified first configuration information indicates that the forwarding behavior corresponding to the first service flow group is selective reception.

[0086] In this way, the service flow of the first service flow group is selected and received on the first communication device. Even if the second communication device fails, it will not cause the service flow to be interrupted, thus ensuring the normal transmission of the service flow.

[0087] In this embodiment, when the second communication device fails, the first communication device directly changes itself to become the receiving node of the first service flow group. This allows all service flows of the first service flow group selected by the second communication device to be received by the first communication device at once. This can quickly restore the normal transmission of all service flows of the first service flow group, reduce the packet loss time of all service flows of the first service flow group, improve the recovery time of service flow transmission failure to the millisecond level, greatly improve the transmission quality of service flows, and improve the reliability of the communication system.

[0088] In one implementation, after the first communication device becomes the receiving node of the first service flow group, it can send a first message to the upper-layer controller so that the controller can know the transmission path of the current service flow of the first service flow group, which facilitates the controller to perform network operation and maintenance.

[0089] Furthermore, after the second communication device recovers from its malfunction, the first communication device can also restore itself to the transparent transmission node of the first service flow group. Understandably, the restoration method can refer to the change method described in S502, that is, the first communication device reconfigures itself as the transparent transmission node for each service flow of the first service flow group or reconfigures itself as the transparent transmission node of the first service flow group to restore the transmission of the service flows of the first service flow group, which will not be elaborated further here.

[0090] Similarly, the second communication device can also perform service flow switching, as described above. Figure 4In the load-sharing scenario shown, the first communication device acts as a transparent transmission node for the first service flow group and a selective reception node for the second service flow group. Similarly, the second communication device acts as both a selective reception node for the first service flow group and a transparent transmission node for the second communication device. When the first communication device detects a fault in the second communication device, it changes itself from a transparent transmission node to a selective reception node for the first service flow group, enabling rapid failover of the service flows in the first service flow group. Likewise, when the second communication device detects a fault in the first communication device, it changes itself from a transparent transmission node to a selective reception node for the second service flow group, enabling rapid failover of the service flows in the second service flow group and ensuring normal transmission of the service flows in the second service flow group. This will not be elaborated further in the embodiments of this application.

[0091] The embodiments of this application will be described again below in conjunction with the M-LAG detection mechanism. Figure 6 A schematic diagram of another service flow transmission method provided in this application embodiment is shown below. Figure 6 As shown, the service flow transmission method is applied to a first communication device and includes the following steps:

[0092] S601. Detect the interface status of the peer-link interface.

[0093] The first communication device and the second communication device are members of M-LAG. The first communication device and the second communication device are connected by a peer-link link. The interfaces at both ends of the peer-link link are peer-link interfaces. The first communication device determines whether the peer-link link is disconnected by detecting the interface status of the peer-link interface.

[0094] For example, when the peer-link is active, the interface state of the peer-link interface is up, and the first communication device and the second communication device can communicate normally; when the peer-link is disconnected, the interface state of the peer-link interface is down, and the first communication device and the second communication device cannot communicate normally.

[0095] In one optional embodiment, when the first communication device detects a peer-link disconnection through the interface status of the peer-link interface, the first communication device cannot forward the received service flow of the first service flow group to the second communication device. At this time, the first communication device can change itself to become the selective receiving node of the first service flow group. In this way, the first communication device directly forwards the received service flow of the first service flow group to the upstream communication device. It is understood that the peer-link may also disconnect even when the second communication device is not experiencing a device failure. Therefore, if the first communication device changes itself to selectively receiving the service flow of the first service flow group after detecting a peer-link disconnection, it is highly likely that the upstream communication device will receive multiple service flows of the same service from both the first and second communication devices.

[0096] S602. When the interface status of the peer-link interface is down, a dual-master detection message is sent to the second communication device through the dual-master detection link.

[0097] In one implementation, when the first communication device detects that the peer-link interface status is down, the first communication device further detects whether the second communication device has experienced a device failure. The first communication device sends a dual-master detection message to the second communication device via the dual-master detection link to determine whether the second communication device has experienced a device failure. The dual-master monitoring message is used to request feedback.

[0098] S603. Determine whether a feedback message from the second communication device has been received. If received, proceed to step S604; if not received, proceed to step S608.

[0099] Understandably, when the second communication device malfunctions, it cannot respond to the dual master monitoring message, and the first communication device cannot receive the feedback message sent by the second communication device; however, when the second communication device does not malfunction, it can respond to the dual master monitoring message and send a feedback message to the first communication device.

[0100] S604. Conduct primary / backup negotiation with the second communication device.

[0101] When the first communication device receives a feedback message from the second communication device, it determines that the second communication device has not experienced a device failure based on the feedback message. At this time, the first and second communication devices operate independently. Since multiple independent devices forwarding traffic simultaneously can cause problems such as broadcast storms and MAC address drift, the first and second communication devices need to negotiate a primary / backup mechanism, retaining only the primary device to forward traffic, while the backup device stops forwarding traffic.

[0102] S605. Determine whether the first communication device is the primary device. If yes, proceed to step S606; otherwise, proceed to step S607.

[0103] After the first communication device and the second communication device conduct primary / backup negotiation, the first communication device determines whether it is the primary device.

[0104] S606. Change the first communication device to the receiving node of the first service flow group.

[0105] If the first communication device is the primary device, then it will transform itself into the receiving node of the first service flow group. In this way, the service flows of the first service flow group are received on the first communication device, and the first communication device forwards the received service flows of the first service flow group to the upstream communication device. This is understandable; for specific transformation methods, please refer to [reference needed]. Figure 5 The content described in S502 of the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here. At this time, the second communication device closes the corresponding port and stops transmitting service streams.

[0106] S607, Stop transmitting service stream.

[0107] If the first communication device is a backup device, the corresponding port is shut down, and service flow transmission ceases. In scenarios where the first and second communication devices share the load, the first communication device, which was originally not only a transparent transmission node for the first service flow group but also a selective reception node for the second service flow group, can transform itself into a selective reception node for the second service flow group. In this way, the service flow of the second service flow group is selectively received on the second communication device, which then forwards the received service flow of the second service flow group to the upstream communication device. This ensures the normal transmission of the service flow of the second service flow group even when the first communication device stops transmitting service flow. Understandably, the transformation method for the second communication device can also refer to [the previous text]. Figure 5 The content described in S502 of the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0108] S608. Change the first communication device to the receiving node of the first service flow group.

[0109] When the first communication device does not receive a feedback message from the second communication device, it determines that the second communication device has experienced a device failure. At this time, the second communication device cannot transmit service flows. Therefore, the first communication device directly transforms itself into the receiving node of the first service flow group. In this way, the service flows of the first service flow group are received by the first communication device and forwarded to the upstream communication device. For the specific transformation method, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 5 The content described in S502 of the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0110] This application embodiment can divide the first communication device into functional modules according to the above method example. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional modules, or two or more functions can be integrated into one module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional module. It should be noted that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. The following description uses the division of functional modules according to each function as an example.

[0111] When using integrated units, Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a first communication device according to the above embodiments is shown. The device includes a transceiver unit 701 and a processing unit 702. In one possible embodiment, the processing unit 702 is used to instruct the device to execute steps S501 and S502 in the above method embodiments. In another possible embodiment, the processing unit 702 is used to support the device in executing steps S601 to S608 in the above method embodiments.

[0112] All relevant content of each step involved in the above method embodiments can be referenced from the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and will not be repeated here in the embodiments of this application.

[0113] Based on hardware implementation, the processing unit 701 in the embodiments of this application can be the processor of the device.

[0114] like Figure 8 As shown in the schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to the above embodiments provided in this application, the device includes: a processor 812 and a transceiver 813; further, the device also includes: a memory 811 and a bus 814, and the processor 812, the memory 811 and the transceiver 813 are connected through the bus 814.

[0115] The processor 1012 is used to control and manage the operation of the device. In one possible embodiment, the processor 1012 is used to support the device in executing S501 and S502 of the above method embodiments, and / or other technical processes described herein. In another possible embodiment, the processor 1012 is used to support the device in executing S601 of the above method embodiments, which involves detecting the interface status of the peer-link interface, and S608, which involves changing the first communication device into a receiving node of the second service flow group, and / or other technical processes described herein. The transceiver 1013 is used to support the device in communication, such as supporting the device in communicating with another communication device.

[0116] In this embodiment, the processor 1012 may be a central processing unit, a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. It can implement or execute various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this application. The processor may also be a combination that implements computational functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, etc. The bus 1014 may include an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc.

[0117] In another embodiment of this application, a communication system is provided, comprising a first communication device, a second communication device, and a controller. The first and second communication devices implement link aggregation with an upstream communication device. The controller is configured to configure the first communication device as a receiving node of a first service flow group and a transparent transmission node of a second service flow group, and to configure the second communication device as a transparent transmission node of the first service flow group and a receiving node of the second service flow group. The first service flow group is associated with at least one service flow, and the second service flow group is associated with at least one service flow. The first communication device is configured to execute one or more steps performed by the first communication device in the method embodiments provided above.

[0118] In another embodiment of this application, the first communication device mentioned above may be, for example, a chip, which includes a processor and an interface circuit. The processor and the interface circuit are used to support the chip in performing one or more steps performed by the first communication device in the method embodiment provided above.

[0119] In another embodiment of this application, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed, implement one or more steps performed by the first communication device in the method embodiment provided above.

[0120] In another embodiment of this application, a computer program product is provided, comprising: a computer program (or code, or instructions) that, when run, causes a computer to perform one or more steps as performed by the first communication device in the method embodiments provided above.

[0121] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A service flow transmission method, applied to a first communication device, characterized in that, The first communication device and the second communication device are members of the cross-device link aggregation group M-LAG. The first communication device is a transparent transmission node of the first service flow group, and the second communication device is a selective reception node of the first service flow group. The first service flow group is associated with at least one service flow. The method includes: When the second communication device fails, the first communication device is changed from the transparent transmission node of the first service flow group to the selective reception node of the second service flow group.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Once the second communication device recovers from its fault, the first communication device will be restored from the receiving node of the first service flow group to the transparent transmission node of the first service flow group.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first communication device is the receiving node of the second service flow group, and the second communication device is the transparent transmission node of the second service flow group. Therefore, the second service flow group is associated with at least one service flow.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, When the second communication device is working normally, the first communication device is configured as a pass-through node for each service flow in the first service flow group, and the first communication device is configured as a selective reception node for each service flow in the second service flow group. When the second communication device malfunctions, changing the first communication device from a transparent transmission node of the first service flow group to a selective reception node of the first service flow group includes: When the second communication device fails, the first communication device is configured as the receiving node for each service flow in the first service flow group.

5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, When the second communication device is working normally, the first communication device is configured as a transparent transmission node of the first service flow group and as a selective reception node of the second service flow group. When the second communication device malfunctions, changing the first communication device from a transparent transmission node of the first service flow group to a selective reception node of the first service flow group includes: When the second communication device fails, the first communication device is configured as the receiving node of the first service flow group.

6. The method according to any one of claims 3-4, characterized in that, The first service flow group is associated with at least one service flow that includes all service flows selected and received by the second communication device when it is operating normally; the second service flow group is associated with at least one service flow that includes all service flows selected and received by the first communication device.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The second communication device malfunction includes: A peer-link failure occurred between the first communication device and the second communication device; or The second communication device experienced a device malfunction.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a first message to the controller, the first message being used to instruct the first communication device to change to the receiving node of the first service flow group.

9. A first communication device, characterized in that, The first communication device and the second communication device are members of the cross-device link aggregation group M-LAG. The first communication device is a transparent transmission node of the first service flow group, and the second communication device is a selective reception node of the first service flow group. The first service flow group is associated with at least one service flow. The first communication device includes: The processing unit is configured to change the first communication device from the transparent transmission node of the first service flow group to the selective reception node of the first service flow group when the second communication device fails.

10. The first communication device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The processing unit is further configured to restore the first communication device from the receiving node of the first service flow group to the transparent transmission node of the first service flow group after the second communication device recovers from the fault.

11. The first communication device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The first communication device is the receiving node of the second service flow group, and the second communication device is the transparent transmission node of the second service flow group. The second service flow group is associated with at least one service flow.

12. The first communication device according to claim 11, characterized in that, When the second communication device is working normally, the first communication device is configured as a pass-through node for each service flow in the first service flow group, and the first communication device is configured as a selective reception node for each service flow in the second service flow group. The processing unit is specifically configured to, when the second communication device fails, configure the first communication device as the receiving node for each service flow in the first service flow group.

13. The first communication device according to claim 11, characterized in that, When the second communication device is working normally, the first communication device is configured as a transparent transmission node of the first service flow group and as a selective reception node of the second service flow group. The processing unit is specifically configured to configure the first communication device as the receiving node of the first service flow group when the second communication device fails.

14. The first communication device according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that, The first service flow group is associated with at least one service flow that includes all service flows selected and received by the second communication device when it is operating normally; the second service flow group is associated with at least one service flow that includes all service flows selected and received by the first communication device.

15. The first communication device according to any one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that, The second communication device failure includes: a peer-link failure between the first and second communication devices; or a device failure in the second communication device.

16. The first communication device according to any one of claims 9 to 15, characterized in that, The first communication device further includes: The transceiver unit is used to send first information to the controller, the first information being used to instruct the first communication device to change to the selected receiving node of the first service flow group.

17. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the communication device to perform the service flow transmission method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

18. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores instructions that, when executed on the device, cause the device to perform the service flow transmission method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

19. A computer program product, characterized in that, Includes a program that, when run on a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the service flow transmission method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

20. A communication system, characterized in that, The communication system includes a first communication device, a second communication device, and a controller; The first communication device and the second communication device achieve link aggregation with the upstream communication device; The controller is configured to configure the first communication device as a transparent transmission node of the first service flow group and the second communication device as a selective reception node of the first service flow group; the first service flow group is associated with at least one service flow. The first communication device is configured to perform the service flow transmission method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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