Data Link Error Feedback Signaling for Network Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern network routing lacks a mechanism for signaling errors along a transmission path, leading to degraded data link integrity and increased transmission errors due to issues like flawed data links, which are not communicated back to the transmitting device for path adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A data link error feedback signaling system where the receiving network device detects errors using methods like CRC or checksum and provides data link integrity information to the transmitting device, allowing it to mark the link as flawed in routing protocols or via informational protocols, enabling adjustments in transmission paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If error detection mechanisms are implemented at the receiving network device, then data link integrity can be monitored and feedback provided to transmitting devices, but this increases device complexity and processing overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback signaling mechanisms where receiving network devices send error information back to transmitting devices through routing protocol updates or informational protocols. This allows the transmitting device to adjust its transmission behavior based on actual link conditions, improving reliability through closed-loop error management while distributing the complexity across multiple devices rather than concentrating it in one location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses existing routing protocol messages and informational protocols as intermediaries to carry error feedback information. Rather than requiring direct dedicated error signaling channels, the system leverages existing communication infrastructure to transmit integrity information, thereby reducing the need for additional complex hardware or protocol mechanisms.
2Productivity
If real-time error feedback signaling is implemented, then transmission paths can be adjusted dynamically to avoid flawed data links, but this increases network traffic and processing overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines error feedback information with existing routing protocol messages and network management traffic. Rather than creating separate dedicated error signaling channels that would increase overall network traffic, the system merges error status information into already-necessary control plane communications, thereby achieving real-time feedback without proportionally increasing total network traffic volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes existing routing and management protocols multi-functional by enabling them to carry both traditional routing information and error feedback signaling. This allows a single message to serve multiple purposes - maintaining route information while simultaneously conveying link integrity status - thereby avoiding the need for additional specialized signaling traffic.
3Ease of operation
If error thresholds are used to determine when to take action, then unnecessary actions can be avoided for minor errors, but this may delay response to significant errors that accumulate over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by establishing pre-configured error thresholds and automated response triggers. When error counts reach these predetermined levels, the system automatically takes corrective actions such as marking links as down or triggering alarm conditions, eliminating the need for manual monitoring and decision-making. This ensures timely response to significant errors while filtering out noise from minor fluctuations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of error response from continuous manual adjustment to discrete threshold-based automated triggers. By defining specific error count thresholds that automatically trigger various response levels (from informational alerts to link shutdown), the system balances operational simplicity with timely response - minor errors below thresholds generate no action, while accumulated errors reaching thresholds trigger appropriate corrective measures.
Data Source
AI summary
A data link error feedback signaling system includes a transmitting network device and a receiving network device. The receiving network device may be operable to receive a network data unit from the transmitting network device over a data link, detect an error in the network data unit, and provide data link integrity information based on the error to the transmitting network device. The receiving network device may provide the data link integrity information by marking the data link flawed in a routing protocol, transmitting the data link integrity information via an informational protocol, and so on. The transmitting network device may respond to the data link integrity information, such as by marking the data link less preferred, marking the data link down, transmitting an alarm regarding the data link to a network operator, omitting taking an action upon determining that errors are below an error threshold, and so on.