Adaptation Layer Protection Group Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional communication networks face a single point of failure in the adaptation layer, which prevents end-to-end protection, and existing solutions to enhance redundancy result in doubled bandwidth requirements.
Innovation Solution
The method involves provisioning dual network-side and client-side interfaces as protection groups within a network element, with one designated as active and the other as standby, allowing for seamless switching in case of failures to maintain communication paths without increasing bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a redundant network-side port is added to ensure end-to-end protection, then reliability is improved, but bandwidth requirements are doubled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the protection functions for both network-side and client-side interfaces into a single redundant PIU unit. This merging approach allows the system to achieve end-to-end protection while avoiding the need for separate redundant paths that would double bandwidth requirements. The single redundant PIU serves dual protection purposes simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The redundant PIU unit is designed with multi-functionality, serving as a backup for both network-side and client-side interfaces. This universal design allows one redundant unit to provide protection across multiple failure points, eliminating the need for separate redundant components for each interface type and thereby avoiding doubled bandwidth requirements.
2Reliability
If the adaptation layer interface is protected with redundancy, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the protection mechanism into two distinct protection groups: network-side protection group and client-side protection group. Each group independently manages its own set of interfaces and failure scenarios. This segmentation simplifies the overall system design by breaking down the complex adaptation layer protection into manageable, independent segments that can be configured and monitored separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary configuration by pre-establishing both network-side and client-side protection groups with designated active and standby interfaces. This preliminary action ensures that protection paths are ready in advance, eliminating the need for complex real-time decision-making during failures and simplifying the operational complexity of the system.
Data Source
AI summary
A method may include: (i) provisioning a first network-side interface of a first plug-in unit and a second network-side interface of a second plug-in unit as members of a network-side protection group, the first plug-in unit and the second plug-in unit integral to an adaptation layer network element; (ii) provisioning a first client-side interface of the first plug-in unit and a second client-side interface of the second plug-in unit as members of a client-side protection group; (iii) designating one of the first and second network-side interface as an active network-side interface of the network-side protection group; and (iv) designating one of the first second client-side interface as an active client-side interface of the client-side protection group, such that traffic ingressing on the active network-side interface may egress on the active client-side interface and traffic ingressing on the active client-side interface may egress on the active network-side interface.