Loop-Breaking Protocol for Ethernet Traffic Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing loop-breaking protocols in Ethernet networks often disable connection-oriented Ethernet links when attempting to prevent network loops, which can lead to network storms and resource degradation, especially when both connectionless and connection-oriented Ethernet technologies are supported within the same network.
Innovation Solution
A modified loop-breaking protocol that selectively blocks connectionless Ethernet traffic while allowing connection-oriented Ethernet traffic to pass through, using methods such as VLAN tags or bit flags to distinguish between the two, ensuring a loop-free topology without disrupting connection-oriented Ethernet links.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional loop-breaking protocol is used to prevent network loops, then network loop prevention is achieved, but connection-oriented Ethernet traffic is blocked causing loss of useful network functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network traffic into two distinct categories: connectionless Ethernet traffic and connection-oriented Ethernet traffic. This segmentation allows the loop-breaking protocol to apply different handling rules to each type. Connectionless traffic is blocked at selected ports to prevent loops, while connection-oriented traffic is permitted to flow through the same ports, thus resolving the contradiction between loop prevention and maintaining connectivity for structured traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by treating different types of traffic differently at the same network port. Instead of uniformly blocking all traffic at a port selected by the loop-breaking protocol, the system applies selective blocking: connectionless Ethernet frames are blocked while connection-oriented Ethernet frames are allowed to pass. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction by preserving connection-oriented traffic functionality while still preventing loops through connectionless traffic.
2Stability of the object's composition
If connectionless Ethernet traffic is blocked at selected ports to break loops, then network stability is improved, but the ability to support both connectionless and connection-oriented Ethernet simultaneously is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic behavior to the loop-breaking protocol by making traffic type determination a dynamic decision point. At each port, the system dynamically evaluates whether incoming traffic is connectionless or connection-oriented and applies appropriate blocking rules accordingly. This dynamic approach allows the network to maintain stability for connectionless traffic while simultaneously supporting connection-oriented Ethernet, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of traffic type identification to resolve the contradiction. By introducing traffic type classification (connectionless vs. connection-oriented) as a key parameter, the system can modify its blocking behavior based on this parameter value. This parameter-based differentiation enables the network to maintain stable loop-free operation for connectionless traffic while preserving adaptability to support connection-oriented Ethernet traffic through the same infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for breaking loops in an Ethernet network that supports connectionless and connection-oriented Ethernet. A loop-breaking protocol may be used to detect a loop among a plurality of network elements and to identify a port to block in order to break the loop. The network elements may stop the flow of connectionless Ethernet traffic, while continuing to allow connection-oriented Ethernet traffic to pass. The loop-breaking protocol may be further configured to analyze and understand connection-oriented Ethernet within the network so that connection-oriented Ethernet paths are accounted for during loop detection and prevention.