E-PON VLAN Configuration via Logical OLT Port Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current E-PON VLAN configuration methods cannot divide users connected to the same ONU into different VLAN groups, limiting the ability to provide advanced services like VoIP and Video on Demand, and are affected by bandwidth reduction with increased user numbers or distance from the central exchange.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that maps physical ONU port information to logical OLT port information, creating a virtual LAN membership table to allocate users to specific VLAN groups, allowing for enhanced VLAN services by determining logical OLT ports and providing virtual LAN services based on this mapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If port-based VLAN configuration is used on OLT, then VLAN groups can be formed and broadcasting traffic can be controlled, but users connected to the same ONU cannot be divided into different VLAN groups
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the VLAN configuration by introducing a logical port concept that separates the physical OLT port from the actual user grouping. Instead of treating each physical port as a single VLAN unit, the system divides users under the same physical port into multiple logical ports, each assignable to different VLAN groups. This segmentation enables fine-grained VLAN control while maintaining simple physical port management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a logical port as an intermediary layer between the physical OLT port and the VLAN grouping. This logical port acts as a mediator that translates physical port connections into flexible VLAN memberships. The GEM port ID serves as this intermediary, allowing the system to map multiple users to different VLAN groups without increasing physical port complexity.
2Quantity of substance
If more users are connected to the network, then network coverage and user base increase, but bandwidth per user decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network traffic into different VLAN groups, allowing bandwidth to be allocated and managed separately for each group. By dividing users into distinct VLANs, the system can prioritize critical services (like VoIP) over less time-sensitive traffic, ensuring that bandwidth is efficiently utilized even as the total number of users increases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the network configuration parameters by introducing GEM port IDs and logical port mappings. These parameter changes enable dynamic VLAN assignment and bandwidth management, allowing the network to adapt bandwidth allocation based on user requirements and service priorities rather than treating all users uniformly.
3Ease of operation
If VLAN membership is determined by physical OLT port, then configuration is simple, but users under the same ONU cannot be divided into different VLAN groups
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the VLAN determination process into two layers: physical port layer for simple connection management and logical port layer for flexible user grouping. The physical OLT port remains simple for connectivity, while the logical port (GEM port) provides the flexibility to divide users into different VLAN groups based on service requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The logical port serves as an intermediary that decouples the simple physical port connection from the complex VLAN grouping requirements. This intermediary layer allows the system to maintain simple physical configuration while achieving complex user segmentation through logical port mapping and GEM port ID assignment.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for VLAN configuration of an E-PON converts physical ONU port information to logical OLT port information to construct profile information of the logical OLT system and VLAN membership information based on the logical OLT port, and provides a VLAN service to the users of an optical subscriber network. Accordingly, the present invention allocates the users in the ONU systems belonging to the same OLT port to different VLAN groups, provides enhanced VLAN services for the E-PON users, causes the OLT to perform functions of managing the profile of the ONU systems and transferring information among the users of the ONU systems, and causes the ONU systems to operate as terminals performing a multiplexing/demultiplexing function rather than as a conventional two-layer switch.