Flexible Ethernet Bandwidth Adjustment via Downstream-Initiated Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
In flexible Ethernet networks, existing bandwidth adjustment methods can lead to data discarding due to insufficient bandwidth at downstream nodes, causing service disruptions, as upstream nodes may have greater bandwidth than downstream nodes during adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an intermediate node that switches between primary and secondary slot tables in a controlled manner to ensure downstream nodes have sufficient bandwidth, using indication information to coordinate adjustments between nodes and prevent service data loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the NMS delivers a new slot configuration to each network node to trigger independent bandwidth adjustment, then the bandwidth can be adjusted to meet service requirements, but data discarding occurs because upstream node bandwidth may be greater than downstream node bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the downstream node send bandwidth adjustment requests upstream before the actual bandwidth change occurs. This ensures that all nodes along the path are notified and prepared in advance, so when bandwidth adjustment happens, downstream nodes will not discard data due to insufficient bandwidth capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanism where the downstream node monitors its bandwidth status and sends adjustment requests upstream when needed. This feedback loop ensures that bandwidth adjustments are triggered by actual downstream requirements and propagated upstream, maintaining consistency across the network path and preventing data loss.
2Productivity
If bandwidth adjustment is performed independently at each node, then the adjustment process is simple and fast, but the bandwidth of upstream node may be greater than downstream node causing data loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the downstream node as an intermediary that coordinates bandwidth adjustments across the entire path. Instead of each node acting independently, the downstream node receives adjustment requests from NMS, determines the need for bandwidth change, and then notifies upstream nodes accordingly. This intermediary approach maintains fast adjustment while ensuring consistency and preventing data loss.
3Reliability
If the downstream node requests bandwidth adjustment from upstream nodes, then data loss is prevented, but the adjustment process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by enabling the downstream node (where the bandwidth issue actually occurs) to initiate the adjustment request, while upstream nodes simply forward the request and execute the change. Each node performs its specific function locally without needing complex global coordination logic, simplifying the overall process while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
This application discloses a method and an apparatus for adjusting a bandwidth of a transmission channel in flexible Ethernet. When the bandwidth of the transmission channel needs to be increased, bandwidths of all nodes are successively increased based on a direction reverse to a flow direction of service data, and when the bandwidth of the transmission channel needs to be decreased, bandwidths of all nodes are successively decreased based on the flow direction of the service data. In this way, a probability of a loss of service data transmitted from upstream to downstream is reduced in a process of adjusting the bandwidth of the transmission channel, and this improves reliability of service data transmission.