Compact GVRP Encoding for VLAN Registration Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current GARP VLAN Registration Protocol (GVRP) mechanisms are inefficient in conveying large amounts of VLAN membership information across computer networks, particularly in networks with hundreds of VLANs, leading to bandwidth consumption and processor burdens due to the need for multiple GVRP PDU messages and extensive processing.
Innovation Solution
A compact GVRP system that uses an encoder/decoder unit and a GVRP PDU message generator to collapse VLAN registration information into a single compact-GVRP PDU message, allowing efficient transmission and processing of VLAN registration information across a bridged network, with optional unregistration of VLAN memberships without timers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If standard GVRP protocol is used to convey VLAN membership information in networks with hundreds of VLANs, then complete VLAN registration information can be transmitted, but multiple GVRP PDU messages are required leading to increased bandwidth consumption and processor burdens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the VLAN registration information into individual attribute fields, each representing a specific VLAN. Instead of transmitting all VLAN information in a single large message, the system transmits multiple smaller attribute fields sequentially within a standardized PDU structure, reducing the bandwidth burden of any single transmission while maintaining complete information coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic transmission of VLAN registration information using GVRP protocol messages sent at regular intervals. The system uses declaration, confirmation, and withdrawal messages in periodic cycles to maintain up-to-date VLAN membership information across the network, allowing receivers to process information in manageable periodic bursts rather than continuous large-data streams
2Loss of information
If standard GVRP protocol transmits VLAN registration information for hundreds of VLANs, then complete membership data is conveyed, but the volume of data requires multiple PDU messages increasing message count and processing overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple VLAN registration attributes into a single standardized GVRP PDU message structure. By combining multiple attribute fields (each representing different VLANs) into one unified message format with standardized headers and footers, the system reduces the number of separate messages required while maintaining complete VLAN membership information
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal PDU message structure that can accommodate multiple different VLAN registration attributes simultaneously. The standardized format with flexible attribute fields allows a single message type to serve multiple functions - transmitting information about different VLANs, handling various registration states, and working across different network configurations - thereby improving transmission efficiency
3Loss of information
If bridges receive and process multiple GVRP PDU messages containing VLAN registration information, then complete VLAN data is obtained, but processor burden increases due to extensive parsing and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter structure of VLAN registration information by organizing it into standardized attribute fields with consistent formatting. Each attribute follows a uniform structure with defined types, lengths, and validation rules, allowing bridge processors to use efficient pattern-matching and validation algorithms rather than complex parsing logic, thereby reducing processing burden while maintaining information completeness
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method efficiently conveys Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) membership information across a bridged network. In particular, an intermediate network device, such as a bridge, includes a plurality of ports for interconnecting entities of a computer network. For each port, a Generic Attribute Registration Protocol (GARP) participant is established that has a compact GARP VLAN Registration Protocol (GVRP) application component and a GARP Information Declaration (GID) component. The GID component operates a plurality of state machines to maintain registration state for all of the VLANs of which the port has been made aware. The compact-GVRP application component further includes an encoder/decoder unit that collapses VLAN registration information according to an encoding algorithm. The collapsed VLAN registration information is then loaded into a single compact-GVRP PDU message for transmission from the respective port. The encoder/decoder unit also recovers encoded VLAN registration from received compact-GVRP PDU messages for operating the state machines.