Topology Discovery in Dual Ring Networks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing topology discovery algorithms in dual ring networks are inefficient in handling misbehaving topologies and require a round trip time to converge, especially when dealing with isolated stations or link failures, and they do not effectively minimize bandwidth and time for database synchronization.
Innovation Solution
A network management algorithm that uses control messages exchanged only between neighboring stations, updating topology databases and employing a method where each station exchanges discovery messages with its neighbors in both directions to quickly establish and maintain a complete network image, utilizing timers to manage different phases of operation such as discovery, steady state, and failure/recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If existing topology discovery algorithms are used in dual ring networks, then topology discovery can be performed, but convergence time is slow (requiring round trip time) and bandwidth consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the topology discovery process into distinct phases: initialization phase where stations exchange discovery packets to build initial topology knowledge, and steady-state phase where stations maintain topology information through periodic updates. This segmentation allows the system to achieve fast convergence during initialization without持续 high bandwidth consumption, as the steady-state phase uses minimal bandwidth for maintenance updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having stations perform topology discovery and database population during the initialization phase before normal operation begins. Stations proactively exchange discovery packets and populate their topology databases in advance, so that when the network enters steady-state operation, the topology information is already established, eliminating the need for slow round-trip convergence during normal operation.
2Loss of information
If broadcasting expanding control messages is used for topology discovery, then complete topology information can be obtained, but message processing complexity increases and bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential topology information needed for station identification and link status detection from the complete network state. Instead of broadcasting expanding control messages that contain all station descriptions, the invention uses discovery packets that carry minimal necessary information (station address and link status) which is sufficient for building the topology database without requiring complex message processing or excessive bandwidth.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by having stations exchange only the minimal necessary topology information during discovery packets rather than transmitting complete topology databases. Each station includes only the information needed for its immediate neighbors in the discovery packets, which is sufficient for topology construction without the excessive messaging overhead of complete database broadcasting.
3Reliability
If simple non-centralized solutions are used for topology management, then system resilience improves, but synchronization speed of local databases decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by having stations continuously maintain and update their topology databases through periodic exchange of discovery packets in the steady-state phase. This continuous light-weight updating mechanism ensures that database synchronization is an ongoing process rather than a batch process, maintaining resilience through distributed updates while achieving fast synchronization through continuous lightweight communication rather than periodic heavy synchronization.
Data Source
AI summary
The resilient packet ring (RPR for short) is receiving much attention as a telecommunications network architecture. The RPR consists of dual counter-rotating ringlets and implements a ring protection scheme such as ring wrap and source steering. Topology discovery is an important aspect of the network management of the RPR. Herein described is a new topology discovery algorithm which performs in multiple phases. According to one phase of the algorithm, a station on the ring periodically exchange with only its neighboring stations a control messages containing a topology database. The topology database indicates addresses of stations on the ring and their link status. The algorithm should find applications not only in RPR but also other ring architectures.