Dual Homed Network Traffic Redirection Without MAC Flush
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dual homed configurations in communication networks face issues with synchronizing node operations and traffic rerouting, leading to data loss and 'black holing' due to the need for MAC flush operations, which are resource-intensive and complex.
Innovation Solution
A method that redirects traffic between active paths without performing MAC flush operations, allowing MAC address relearning independently and marking 'known' traffic to ensure continuous data delivery without flushing, enabling 'soft redirection' and avoiding data loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If MAC flush operations are performed to handle faults in dual homed configurations, then traffic can be rerouted to alternative paths, but data loss occurs and resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring backup paths and maintaining them in a ready state before faults occur. The system pre-learns MAC addresses for both primary and secondary paths, so when a fault occurs, traffic can be immediately rerouted without performing MAC flush operations, thus avoiding data loss while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of a intermediary table that stores MAC address mappings for both primary and secondary paths. This intermediary structure allows the system to transition between paths without flushing MAC tables, as the intermediary table provides the necessary address information to maintain continuous data flow during path switching
2Reliability
If MAC flush operations are performed to synchronize node operations during fault recovery, then traffic can return to primary paths, but resource consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling nodes to automatically detect faults and trigger path switching without requiring centralized coordination or MAC flush operations. Each node independently monitors its own path status and autonomously switches to backup paths when faults are detected, eliminating the need for complex synchronization protocols and reducing system complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where nodes continuously monitor path status and automatically trigger path switching based on detected faults. The system uses feedback from path health monitoring to dynamically adjust traffic routing, allowing automatic fault recovery without requiring complex centralized coordination or MAC flush operations, thus reducing system complexity
3Reliability
If MAC flush operations are performed during path changes, then address tables can be updated, but time is lost and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-learning and caching MAC addresses for both primary and secondary paths before faults occur. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming MAC flush operations during path switching, as the necessary address information is already available in local tables, enabling instantaneous path transitions without sacrificing update accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
Technique for handling traffic between a specific common source node and a network element NE being part of a dual homing configuration, via a main path and an auxiliary path in the configuration, the technique comprises redirection of the traffic from one of said paths to another while the path from which the traffic has been redirected remains active, while relearn of MAC addresses which is required due to the redirection is performed without executing a MAC addresses flush operation.