Flexible Ethernet Group Establishment with Asymmetric Path Delay
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing Flexible Ethernet group establishment methods fail to accurately establish a FlexE group when uplink and downlink transmission paths are asymmetric, as they rely on Network Time Protocol (NTP) which requires symmetric paths for delay difference testing.
Innovation Solution
A method where a far-end device determines the delay difference between PHY links based on receiving time points of delay test requests, allowing for the establishment of a flexible Ethernet group even with asymmetric paths by calculating the difference using specific formulas and sending delay test requests at different or the same time points, and using these links to form a FlexE group that satisfies a preset delay condition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If NTP protocol is used to test delay difference between PHY links, then delay testing can be performed, but accurate delay difference cannot be determined when uplink and downlink transmission paths are asymmetric
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using NTP which requires symmetric paths, the patent inverts the approach by using a one-way delay test method where the far-end device determines delay based on receiving time points of test requests. This inversion allows the method to work with asymmetric uplink and downlink paths, resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and adaptability to asymmetric transmission.
2Reliability
If delay difference testing is performed before FlexE group establishment, then links satisfying delay requirements can be selected, but service failures occur when asymmetric paths are not properly handled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the delay testing function from the complex NTP protocol and creates a simplified one-way delay test mechanism. By separating the delay measurement function from the symmetric path requirement, the patent reduces process complexity while maintaining reliability in FlexE group establishment, even with asymmetric transmission paths.
3Productivity
If multiple PHY links are used to establish FlexE group, then bandwidth and reliability are improved, but delay difference between links must be controlled within preset conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical NTP time synchronization system with a simplified time stamping and calculation system. By using local time points recorded at the far-end device and calculating delay differences through simple arithmetic operations, the patent achieves precise delay control across multiple PHY links, enabling high bandwidth FlexE groups while maintaining precise delay difference control.
Data Source
AI summary
This application discloses a flexible Ethernet group establishment method and a device. The method includes: determining that there are at least M physical layer PHY links; receiving at least M delay test requests sent by a near-end device; determining, by the far-end device, at least M receiving time points at which the at least M delay test requests are received; and determining M PHY links used to establish a flexible Ethernet group, from the at least M PHY links based on the at least M receiving time points, where a delay difference between any two of the M PHY links satisfies a preset delay condition. According to the method in this application, the delay difference between the any two PHY links is accurately determined based on time points at which delay test requests are received over any two PHY links.