Ethernet Ring Master Node Initialization State

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Solution Overview

Problem

In Ethernet ring automatic protection systems, the master node cannot determine the initial state of the ring network during initialization, leading to potential misjudgment of network state and increased risk of 'broadcast storm' and reduced fault tolerance.

Innovation Solution

The master node introduces an 'initializing state' (INIT) during initialization, blocking the protection service VLAN port to prevent loops and detect the actual network state, ensuring correct state entry and enhancing fault tolerance by periodically sending and receiving health check messages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the master node blocks the secondary port during initialization to prevent loops, then network stability is improved, but the master node cannot quickly determine the actual network state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork stabilityVSAvoidinitialization time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The master node performs preliminary actions by sending health check messages to active neighbors before fully initializing the protection domain. This allows the node to gather information about the network state in advance while maintaining port blocking, enabling faster transition to the correct operational state without causing loops during initialization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the master node receives health check messages from active neighbors and uses this feedback to determine the actual network state. This feedback loop allows the master node to make informed decisions about state transitions while maintaining network stability through continued port blocking until initialization is complete.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Speed

If the master node does not block the secondary port during initialization, then the node can detect network state faster, but loops and broadcast storms may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestate detection speedVSAvoidbroadcast storm risk
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The master node applies preliminary anti-action by blocking the secondary port during initialization to prevent potential loops and broadcast storms. This preventive measure is maintained until the node has gathered sufficient information from health check messages and can safely transition to the appropriate state without creating network loops.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The health check message mechanism serves as an intermediary that allows the master node to detect network state without requiring the secondary port to be unblocked. This intermediary communication channel enables state detection while the port remains blocked, eliminating the need to choose between speed and safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the master node unblocks the secondary port to handle faults quickly, then fault tolerance is improved, but the risk of loop formation increases when the network state is misjudged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault toleranceVSAvoidloop formation risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The master node uses feedback from health check messages received from active neighbors to accurately determine network state before making decisions about unblocking ports. This feedback mechanism ensures that the node only unblocks the secondary port when it is certain the network state warrants such action, preventing loop formation while maintaining fault tolerance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The master node performs preliminary health check communications to verify network state before unblocking the secondary port. This preliminary verification ensures that fault tolerance actions are taken only when appropriate, eliminating the risk of premature port unblocking that could cause loops.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2194676B1Ethernet ring system, its main node and intialization method
Publication Date: 2020.03.04 ZTE CORP
  • EP2194676B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2194676B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2194676B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention provides an Ethernet ring system and the master node and the initialization method thereof, comprising the following steps: Step 1, a master node of an Ethernet ring protection domain is generated from nodes on a ring; Step 2, the master node detects the link state of a primary port and a secondary port wherein if the master node detects that no fault occurs in the link of the primary port and the secondary port, it records the state of the ring network as the initializing state and blocks the secondary port; Step 3, the master node sends a link health check message to the ring network periodically; Step 4, it is judged whether the master node receives the link health check message in a prescribed time period wherein if receiving the message, it records the state of the ring network as intact, continues blocking the secondary port and sends a ring network restoration notification message to the ring network, informing other nodes that the state of the ring network is intact, so as to realize the initialization of the master node.