Integrated Main Control Board Cross-Board MCU Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In rack communications devices, an MCU fault or reset during an in-service software upgrade (ISSU) process leads to service packet loss due to reduced forwarding capability, especially when the service volume is large, affecting normal communication service operation.
Innovation Solution
The integration of at least two main control boards with a control signal exchange path allows an MCU on one board to control an FU and SFU on another board, enabling seamless failover and maintaining forwarding capability, with a selector to choose between local and remote MCU control based on application scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If MCU and hardware forwarding unit are integrated on the same physical main control board, then device complexity is reduced and control efficiency is improved, but when MCU encounters fault or reset during ISSU, service packet loss occurs due to reduced forwarding capability
Solution Approach 1:
The control function is segmented from the forwarding function by allowing an MCU on one integrated main control board to control hardware forwarding units on another board. This segmentation enables independent operation of control and forwarding planes, so that when one MCU fails or undergoes ISSU, the other board's MCU can take over control without affecting forwarding capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control relationship between MCU and hardware forwarding unit is changed from a fixed local relationship to a flexible remote controllable relationship. By enabling cross-board control through control signal exchange paths, the system parameter of control topology is changed, allowing any MCU to control any hardware forwarding unit regardless of physical location.
2Reliability
If an MCU controls only local FU and SFU on the same board, then control reliability is improved, but forwarding capability is reduced by half when another board's resources cannot be utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The MCU is given universal control capability to manage not only local hardware forwarding units but also remote hardware forwarding units on other boards. This multi-functionality allows the system to dynamically allocate control resources and utilize forwarding capacity across multiple boards, increasing overall productivity when service volume is large.
Solution Approach 2:
A control signal exchange path acts as an intermediary mechanism between MCUs on different boards and hardware forwarding units on different boards. This intermediary enables remote control without compromising the reliability of local control, allowing the system to scale forwarding capability while maintaining control integrity.
3Reliability
If control signal exchange path is provided between MCUs on different boards, then service continuity is maintained during MCU fault or ISSU, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control signal exchange paths between different boards are merged into a unified control network, allowing any MCU to communicate with any hardware forwarding unit on any board. This merging reduces the need for separate dedicated control paths and enables flexible failover while managing complexity through standardized communication interfaces.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a communications device, a communication processing method, a communication processing apparatus, and a communications system. The communications device includes at least two integrated main control boards that serve as a primary integrated main control board and a secondary integrated main control board. An MCU and a hardware forwarding unit are integrated on each of the integrated main control boards, and the hardware forwarding unit includes a fabric unit FU and a service forwarding unit SFU. A control signal exchange path is provided between the MCU on each integrated main control board and a hardware forwarding unit on another integrated main control board in the at least two integrated main control boards. An MCU on any one of the at least two integrated main control boards controls an FU and an SFU on the another integrated main control board in the at least two integrated main control boards by using the control signal exchange path. The present invention can resolve a problem that an MCU fault or reset and ISSU affect an FU and an SFU, and consequently a forwarding capability is reduced by half and a service packet loss is caused.