Boundary Switch Backup for Heterogeneous Redundancy Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional network architectures face challenges in coupling heterogeneous networks due to the need for network nodes to support multiple redundancy protocols, leading to performance issues and difficulties in network expansion.
Innovation Solution
A network switch architecture that allows the main network and subnets to operate under different redundancy protocols by using primary and backup network switches to send control packets according to specific protocols, updating MAC address tables, and performing link changes to maintain communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network nodes support multiple redundancy protocols simultaneously, then heterogeneous network coupling is enabled, but network node performance deteriorates and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into main network and subnet domains, each with dedicated redundancy protocol support. The boundary device (switch) is divided into separate main network interface and subnet interface, where each interface handles only its native protocol, eliminating the need for multi-protocol support at single nodes.
Solution Approach 2:
A boundary switch acts as an intermediary between the main network and subnet. This intermediary translates and forwards control packets between different redundancy protocols (e.g., RSTP/HSR in main network and MRP in subnet), enabling heterogeneous coupling without requiring boundary nodes to simultaneously support multiple protocols.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple subnets are connected to the main network, then network scalability improves, but maintaining network node performance becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The network architecture segments multiple subnets from the main network through dedicated boundary switches. Each boundary switch independently manages its connected subnet's redundancy protocol, isolating protocol processing overhead and preventing performance degradation from propagating across the entire network as subnets are added.
Solution Approach 2:
Boundary switches serve as intermediaries that handle protocol translation and control packet forwarding between subnets and the main network. This intermediary role offloads complex multi-protocol processing from main network nodes, allowing the main network to scale with multiple subnets while maintaining node performance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the main network relays control packets with subnet redundancy protocols, then heterogeneous network coupling is achieved, but main network performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The boundary switch acts as an intermediary that terminates and processes subnet redundancy control packets locally before forwarding only necessary information to the main network. This prevents the main network from relaying heavy protocol control traffic, maintaining main network performance while achieving protocol compatibility through the intermediary's translation and filtering functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A primary network switch, configured in a main network operating with a first redundancy protocol, is used for coupling a subnet operating with a second redundancy protocol, and the primary network switch executes a backup method. The backup method includes sending a first control packet through at least one first port; in response to sending the first control packet, receiving an ACK packet of the first control packet; and in response to receiving the ACK packet of the first control packet, switching a state of a second port, sending a second control packet through the at least one first port according to the first redundancy protocol so as to update a MAC address table of the main network, and sending a third control packet through the second port according to the second redundancy protocol to update a MAC address table of the subnet.