Bridging Apparatus Presence Check Traffic Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bridging apparatuses consume communication band for checking terminal presence, impacting normal communication, especially in networks with multiple bridging apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
A bridging apparatus with an address-table managing unit, presence-check-frame transmission control unit, and network transmission-reception control unit that registers devices and checks for their presence using a presence check frame, reducing traffic consumption by acknowledging registered devices and retransmitting request frames when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional bridging apparatus uses periodic broadcasting or polling to check terminal presence, then terminal presence can be detected, but communication band is consumed causing negative impact on normal communication
Solution Approach 1:
The bridging apparatus performs presence checking of terminals in advance before normal communication occurs. By proactively detecting whether terminals are present and active, the system prepares the communication path beforehand, allowing normal data transmission to proceed without interruption or waste of communication band on retransmissions to absent terminals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing communication infrastructure and protocols to perform presence checking without requiring additional dedicated resources. The presence check mechanism leverages the same network medium and signaling capabilities already available for normal communication, thereby avoiding extra consumption of communication band while still achieving reliable terminal detection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple bridging apparatuses are deployed in the network, then network expansion and connectivity are improved, but the impact on normal communication between terminals increases due to cumulative traffic from presence checking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the presence checking function with the normal communication forwarding function within the same bridging apparatus. Instead of having separate mechanisms for presence detection and data forwarding, the system integrates these functions so that the bridging apparatus performs both tasks using the same communication resources, thereby eliminating redundant traffic and reducing the cumulative impact on communication band in multi-apparatus networks.
3Loss of energy
If presence checking traffic is reduced to minimal volume, then normal communication is improved, but the ability to reliably detect terminal presence may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The bridging apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions using the same communication mechanism. The presence check frames serve dual purposes: they detect terminal presence and simultaneously act as data frames that can be forwarded if the terminal is present. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain reliable terminal detection while using the same minimal traffic volume that would otherwise be dedicated solely to presence checking.
Data Source
AI summary
A bridging apparatus includes an address-table managing unit configured to manage an address table in which devices connected to networks are registered, a presence-check-frame transmission control unit configured to transmit a presence check frame for checking whether a device is connected to a network, and a network transmission-reception control unit configured to call, upon receipt of a response request frame transmitted from a first device connected to a first network toward a second device connected to a second network, the address-table managing unit to register the first device in the address table and check whether the second device is registered in the address table, and when the second device is registered, transmit an acknowledgement to the first device and transfer the response request frame to the second network, whereas when the second device is not registered, instruct the presence-check-frame transmission control unit to transfer the response request frame to the second network.