Backup Wireless Link Activation via Wired CE-PE Status
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems for enterprise customers face connectivity issues when the primary connection between the customer edge router and the provider edge router fails, leading to loss of connectivity with packet data networks, necessitating a reliable backup solution.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented to establish a primary wired access link and a backup wireless access link between customer edge and provider edge routing devices, using protocols like Bidirectional Forwarding Detection (BFD) and Mobile IP to determine link failures and activate the backup link, ensuring seamless connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a primary wired connection is established between customer edge router and provider edge router, then connectivity to packet data networks is achieved, but connectivity is lost when the connection fails
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures a backup wireless connection (Mobile IP) before the primary wired connection fails. The backup link is established in advance but remains dormant until needed, allowing immediate failover without waiting for connection establishment during failure. This resolves the contradiction by preparing redundancy beforehand rather than adding complex active redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces Bidirectional Forwarding Detection (BFD) as an intermediary mechanism that monitors the health of the primary wired connection and triggers backup activation. BFD acts as a mediator between the primary connection status and backup link activation, providing fast failure detection and automated failover without requiring complex manual intervention or system redesign.
2Reliability
If a backup connection is established, then connectivity is maintained during primary link failure, but detection and activation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The backup wireless connection is pre-established and configured before failure occurs, with all necessary routing parameters and Mobile IP settings prepared in advance. When failure is detected, the backup link activates immediately without requiring setup time, achieving near-instantaneous failover while maintaining connectivity continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous monitoring of the primary wired connection using BFD protocols, which provide real-time feedback on link health. This feedback mechanism enables immediate detection of failures and triggers automatic activation of the backup wireless connection, minimizing failover time while ensuring connectivity is maintained throughout the transition.
3Speed
If wireless backup link is always active, then immediate failover is possible, but energy consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The backup wireless link operates dynamically - it is pre-configured and ready for immediate activation but remains dormant during normal operation. The system transitions from an always-active state to an on-demand state, maintaining the capability for fast failover while consuming minimal energy when the backup is not needed. This resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptive rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a standby backup connection that is inexpensive to maintain in a dormant state but provides immediate protection when activated. Rather than continuously utilizing expensive wireless resources, the system maintains a low-cost standby capability that activates only when necessary, achieving fast failover without the ongoing energy and cost burden of always-active wireless connectivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided in one embodiment and includes establishing a primary wired access link between a first routing device and a second routing device, and establishing a backup wireless access link between the first routing device and the second routing device. The method further includes determining a status of the primary wired access link indicative of whether the primary wired access link between the first routing device and the second routing device has failed. The method still further include activating the backup wireless access link between the first routing device and the second routing device when it is determined that the status of the primary wired access link is indicative that the primary wired access link has failed.