Ethernet Access Redundancy via Passive Couplers
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Ethernet packet data switching systems, damage to the link between an access point and a local node can sever the end-to-end connection, as there is no redundancy on this link, making it vulnerable and difficult for network operators to repair without modifying customer-owned equipment.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves using passive couplers to connect a user access point to multiple access nodes, providing redundant paths for data transmission, with control mechanisms to ensure only one path is active, thereby maintaining network redundancy without modifying customer equipment, and using encapsulation to prevent loop formation in the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single access connection is used between access point and access node, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to lack of redundancy
Solution Approach 1:
The single access connection is segmented into multiple separate access connections, each providing an independent path from the access point to different access nodes. This segmentation creates redundancy so that if one connection fails, data can still flow through alternative connections, directly improving reliability without requiring complex modifications to customer equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple standby access connections are established in advance before any failure occurs. These redundant connections remain dormant or in backup mode until needed, providing pre-prepared protection against connection failures. This approach cushions against potential failures without adding complexity during normal operation.
2Reliability
If multiple access connections are provided for redundancy, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases requiring modifications to customer equipment
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the intelligence and control logic in customer-owned access points (which would increase their complexity), the invention inverts the approach by placing the control mechanism in the service provider's access nodes. The access nodes autonomously manage multiple connections to each access point, selecting active and standby paths without requiring any modifications to customer equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The access nodes automatically perform connection management, failure detection, and path selection without human intervention or complex customer equipment. The system self-manages the redundancy by having access nodes monitor connection health and dynamically switch between active and standby connections, eliminating the need for customer equipment to participate in the redundancy mechanism.
3Reliability
If data can flow over multiple simultaneous paths, then redundancy is improved, but harmful factors increase due to data collision and interference
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically manages multiple data paths by designating one as active and others as standby, rather than allowing all paths to operate simultaneously. When the active connection fails, the system dynamically switches to a standby connection. This dynamic control prevents data collision while maintaining redundancy, as only one path carries data at any given time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system ensures continuous data flow by maintaining a ready standby connection that can immediately take over if the active connection fails. This continuity approach guarantees that useful data transmission never interrupts, while the standby connection remains dormant during normal operation to avoid causing harmful interference or data collision.
Data Source
AI summary
An Ethernet access connection (102) connects a user access point (10) to an access node (12) in the network. The access connection comprises a passive coupler (20), by means of which a further access connection (104) can be provided between the user access point (10) and a second access node (14), such that data can be exchanged over each access connection (102, 104) between the user access point and the network. This duplication ensures that communication is not severed if the access connection (102) is breached. To avoid interference at the destination terminal (11) between the two resulting identical data streams, the access nodes (13, 18) giving access to the destination terminal are controlled such that only one of them forwards data to the destination access point (11), with the capability to switch to the other one in the event of a loss of connection between the access node (13) and user access point (10).