Access Line Card Trunk Port Routing for IPTV Network Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high-speed data network architectures for video content delivery, such as IPTV systems, require extensive and costly routing hardware due to full mesh switching architectures, which is inefficient and costly, especially in metropolitan areas.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an access line card within a data router with specific configurations of access and trunk ports that communicate only with designated network line cards, reducing unnecessary connections and serial links, and using a method to route data packets efficiently through these configured ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If full mesh switching architecture is used to enable any port to communicate with any other port, then network versatility and connectivity are improved, but hardware complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into hierarchical levels (core network, aggregation layer, access layer) with dedicated routing at each level. Access line cards handle local access traffic, aggregation switches handle inter-access traffic, and core network handles long-distance routing. This segmentation eliminates the need for full mesh connectivity at every level while maintaining overall network versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
Aggregation switches serve as intermediary devices between access line cards and the core network. Instead of requiring direct full-mesh connections between all access ports, aggregation switches mediate traffic routing, reducing hardware complexity while preserving network connectivity capabilities.
2Productivity
If full mesh switching architecture with extensive queuing and memory hardware is implemented, then data packet routing capability is improved, but hardware cost and resource requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Routing functionality is segmented and distributed across multiple devices (access line cards, aggregation switches, core network routers) rather than concentrating all routing capability in single high-capacity switches. This distributes hardware resource requirements across the network infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
Access line cards perform local routing decisions for traffic destined to other access line cards, handling routing independently without requiring centralized switching fabric resources. This self-service routing capability reduces the burden on central hardware resources.
3Reliability
If access ports are configured to communicate with multiple trunk ports for redundancy, then network reliability is improved, but switching fabric congestion and backpressure increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each access line card is configured with specific trunk port assignments tailored to its local requirements rather than providing universal multi-trunk connectivity. This localized configuration provides necessary redundancy for each card while avoiding the aggregate congestion that would result from all cards accessing all trunks simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of routing data packets is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a first Internet Protocol (IP) data packet at a first access port of an access line card within a data router. The method also includes transmitting the first IP data packet from the first access port to a network line card within the data router, via a first trunk port of the access line card. The first access port is coupled to the first trunk port and not coupled to at least one other access port. The method further includes receiving a second IP data packet at a second trunk port of the access line card from the network line card. In addition, the method includes transmitting the second IP data packet from the second trunk port to a second access port of the access line card.