Controlling Bridge Packet Forwarding via Mapping Entries
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Solution Overview
Problem
In a longitudinally stacked network, the Controlling Bridge (CB) device faces high resource demands due to maintaining a large number of forwarding entries and processing a vast quantity of packets, leading to performance requirements that are difficult to meet.
Innovation Solution
The method involves maintaining a mapping table in the CB device to associate PEX devices with host MAC addresses and forwarding entries on both the CB and PEX devices, allowing PEX devices to transmit packets based on local forwarding entries without needing to send all packets to the CB for processing, thereby reducing the number of entries and processing load on the CB.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the CB device maintains a large quantity of forwarding entries to enable packet forwarding in a longitudinally stacked network, then the network functionality and coverage are improved, but the entry resources and processing resources of the CB device are excessively occupied, leading to high performance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the forwarding entry storage function between the CB device and PEX devices. The CB device maintains only mapping entries that associate PEX devices with host MAC addresses, while PEX devices maintain their own forwarding entries locally. This segmentation reduces the entry resource occupation on the CB device while preserving network functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of distributed forwarding by moving forwarding entry storage from a centralized location (CB device only) to a distributed architecture (CB device and PEX devices). This dimensional change allows the system to maintain network functionality while reducing the resource burden on any single device.
2Reliability
If the CB device processes all packets received from PEX devices to enable centralized forwarding control, then the forwarding accuracy and network control are improved, but the processing resources of the CB device are excessively occupied, requiring high performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the packet processing function between the CB device and PEX devices. The CB device processes only mapping-related packets to maintain mapping entries, while PEX devices process data packets locally using their own forwarding entries. This segmentation reduces the processing resource occupation on the CB device while maintaining forwarding accuracy through centralized mapping control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces mapping entries as an intermediary mechanism. The CB device maintains mapping entries that act as a mediator between PEX devices and hosts. When a PEX device needs to forward a packet, it queries the mapping entry at the CB device to obtain the destination host's MAC address, then completes the forwarding locally. This intermediary approach ensures forwarding accuracy while reducing CB device processing load.
3Ease of operation
If the PEX device transmits all received packets to the CB device to simplify its own processing, then the PEX device processing complexity is reduced, but the CB device entry resources and processing resources are excessively occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the packet handling responsibility between PEX devices and the CB device. PEX devices handle data packet forwarding locally using their own forwarding entries, while the CB device handles mapping entry management. This segmentation allows PEX devices to maintain processing simplicity while reducing the quantity of packets transmitted to the CB device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having PEX devices maintain forwarding entries in advance. This allows PEX devices to perform local forwarding decisions without needing to transmit every packet to the CB device for processing. The preliminary setup of forwarding entries enables efficient local packet handling while reducing the packet quantity to the CB device.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are a method and device for transmitting a packet. According to an example of the method, a Controlling Bridge (CB) device maintains a mapping entry representing a correspondence between a Port Extender (PEX) device and a Media Access Control (MAC) address of a host connected with the PEX device in a mapping table. The CB device receives a first data packet transmitted by a first PEX device, and determines a mapping entry in which the MAC address of the host matches a destination MAC address of the first data packet by querying the mapping table. Then, the CB device transmits the first data packet to a second PEX device in the mapping entry.