Transparent Ethernet Auto-Negotiation via Intermediate Device Bypass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Ethernet negotiation protocols, such as those defined by the IEEE 802.3-2008 standard, do not effectively handle the harmonization of settings for multiple ports in an intermediate device, leading to potential disparities and disruptions when new devices are inserted into networks, especially when only one device is connected, and fail to allow transparent inspection and operation on Ethernet frames.
Innovation Solution
An intermediate device with management modules that bypasses the auto-negotiation function of the Physical Coding Sub-layer, allowing transparent negotiation of Ethernet settings between connected devices without the intermediate device participating in the negotiation phase, and ensuring that Ethernet settings are synchronized across its ports to match those negotiated by the connected devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the intermediate device participates in the auto-negotiation phase between two end devices, then the negotiation process becomes more complex and may result in setting disparities, but the intermediate device can directly control and configure its ports
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a management module as an intermediary that mediates between the end devices and the intermediate device's auto-negotiation function. This management module captures negotiation messages from end devices and uses them to configure the intermediate device's ports, avoiding direct participation in the auto-negotiation phase while maintaining configuration consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the auto-negotiation function from the intermediate device's port configuration process. Instead of having the intermediate device's PCS sub-layer actively participate in auto-negotiation, the system extracts only the necessary configuration information from end device negotiations and applies it to the intermediate device, separating the negotiation participation from the configuration application.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the intermediate device bypasses the auto-negotiation function in the PCS sub-layer, then transparent negotiation between end devices is enabled, but the intermediate device cannot independently negotiate settings with connected devices
Solution Approach 1:
The management module serves as an intermediary that enables the intermediate device to benefit from end device negotiations without actively participating. It captures negotiation messages, extracts configuration information, and applies it to the intermediate device's ports, providing transparent operation while maintaining the ability to configure ports based on negotiated settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by having end devices complete their auto-negotiation first, then using the management module to capture and apply the negotiated settings to the intermediate device. This ensures the intermediate device is configured with correct settings before data transmission begins, without interfering with the end devices' negotiation process.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the intermediate device synchronizes Ethernet settings across its ports, then setting harmony is achieved, but additional complexity is introduced in managing multiple port configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The management module copies the negotiation settings from one port to another on the intermediate device. When negotiation settings are captured from end devices, the management module replicates these settings across the intermediate device's ports to ensure harmony and consistency, rather than independently configuring each port.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the configuration management of multiple ports into a unified process handled by the management module. Instead of managing each port's settings separately, the management module handles all port configurations through a single mechanism that captures settings from end devices and applies them consistently across the intermediate device's ports.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the intermediate device inspects and operates on Ethernet frames after auto-negotiation, then Service OAM functions are enabled, but the device must maintain separate processing paths for negotiation and data frames
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frame processing into distinct paths: one for negotiation messages handled by the management module during the auto-negotiation phase, and another for data frames handled by the intermediate device's normal processing architecture after negotiation completes. This segmentation allows Service OAM functions to operate on data frames without interfering with the negotiation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The auto-negotiation phase is performed as a preliminary action before normal data frame processing begins. The management module handles negotiation messages during this initial phase, configures the intermediate device's ports, and then the system transitions to normal operation where the intermediate device inspects and processes data frames for Service OAM functions without negotiation interference.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for negotiating Ethernet link settings between interconnected nodes in a network having an Ethernet protocol stack that includes a PCS sub-layer with an auto-negotiation function. The system comprises connecting an intermediate device coupled between two network nodes via optical or copper interfaces, with the link settings between each node and the connected intermediate device being the same, thereby bypassing the auto-negotiation of the PCS sub-layer in the intermediate device. The intermediate device may transparently send negotiation messages from each node to the other during the link negotiation phase without interacting with those messages. Instead of the intermediate device, a single form pluggable (SFP) device may be connected between the two network nodes via optical or copper interfaces on the network side and via an SFP slot on the device side.