Backup Alive Packets for VRRP Node Status Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current router redundancy techniques, such as VRRP, face challenges in accurately notifying the centralized management system of backup node availability, leading to potential network instability due to delayed or unreliable alarm clearing when backup nodes recover or transition states.

Innovation Solution

Implementing enhanced messaging through 'backup alive' packets in VRRP packet formats to monitor and manage node states, ensuring timely notification of backup node availability and stability by transitioning between master and backup states based on priority and sending specific packets to maintain network health.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If VRRP is used to provide router redundancy, then network reliability is improved, but the accuracy of backup node availability notification deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork reliabilityVSAvoidbackup node availability notification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where backup nodes send periodic 'backup alive' packets to the master node, and the master node sends 'backup not available' alarm messages to the management system when backups are unavailable. This feedback loop ensures accurate real-time notification of backup node status, resolving the contradiction between maintaining network reliability through VRRP and achieving accurate backup availability notification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If alarm messages are sent to the management system, then network monitoring is improved, but network overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork monitoringVSAvoidnetwork overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by sending alarm messages selectively - only when backup nodes are actually unavailable. The master node monitors backup alive packets and sends 'backup not available' alarm messages only when needed, rather than continuously. This reduces unnecessary network traffic and overhead while maintaining effective network monitoring and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Loss of information

If backup alive packets are sent continuously, then backup node status notification is improved, but network traffic increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackup node status notificationVSAvoidnetwork traffic

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by having backup nodes send 'backup alive' packets at regular intervals rather than continuously. This periodic transmission maintains accurate backup node status notification to the master node while significantly reducing network traffic compared to continuous transmission, resolving the contradiction between information completeness and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS11258700B1Enhanced messaging for backup state status notifications in communications networks

Publication Date: 2022.02.22 VERSA NETWORKS

AI summary

Enhanced messaging is described to support status notifications regarding backup nodes of a data communications network. In one example, a status of a network node at the network node is monitored. The network node is coupled to a network. It is determined that the node is operating in a backup state, and a backup alive packet is sent through the network in response to determining that the node is operating in a backup state.