Ethernet Ring Link Aggregation Bandwidth Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Ethernet ring protection systems fail to provide reliable bandwidth services when some links in the link aggregation group fail, resulting in insufficient bandwidth for users.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that detect the states of physical links in a link aggregation group, compare the current bandwidth with a switch threshold, and release the slave port of a primary link if the bandwidth falls below the threshold, ensuring continuous service by switching to redundant links.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If link aggregation is used to increase bandwidth, then bandwidth capacity is improved, but reliability deteriorates when links fail
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic port status adjustment based on real-time link health monitoring. When a link fails, the system dynamically changes the slave port from blocked to forwarding state, and when links recover, it dynamically adjusts back. This dynamic adaptation ensures that bandwidth capacity is optimized while maintaining service reliability through automatic failure response.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism through continuous monitoring of link states and bandwidth availability. The master node monitors the health of aggregation links and feeds this information back to control the slave port status. This closed-loop feedback ensures that the system responds to link failures by releasing the slave port to maintain service reliability, while normally keeping it blocked to prevent loops.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the slave port is blocked to prevent network loops, then network stability is improved, but bandwidth utilization deteriorates during normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different states to different parts of the link aggregation group based on their function. The master port remains in forwarding state to provide primary bandwidth, while the slave port is blocked during normal operation to prevent loops. When a master link fails, the slave port locally changes state to forwarding to provide backup bandwidth. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between loop prevention and bandwidth utilization.
3Reliability
If the slave port is released to provide backup bandwidth, then service reliability is improved, but network loop risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares the slave port in advance by keeping it in a blocked state during normal operation, ready to be activated if needed. This preliminary blocking action prevents network loops during normal operation while maintaining the capability to quickly release the slave port when link failures occur. The system performs the necessary state change preparation beforehand, resolving the contradiction between reliability and loop risk.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and an apparatus for protecting a link aggregation group of an Ethernet ring are disclosed, wherein, the method includes: detecting states of physical links in a link aggregation group (S320); comparing current bandwidth of the link aggregation group with a switch threshold which can meet practical service requirements in the case that the state of a physical link in the link aggregation group is down, and performing subsequent processing according to the comparison result (S304).