Flexible Ethernet Group Synchronous Adjustment for Lossless Bandwidth Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Ethernet interface standards specify fixed rates, leading to a gap between transmission requirements and actual interface capabilities, necessitating the use of FlexE technology to dynamically adjust Ethernet interface rates, but existing methods disrupt service flows during adjustments such as adding or removing physical layer links or regrouping links, causing service interruptions.
Innovation Solution
A flexible Ethernet group management method that determines configuration information, including backup group numbers and maps, to adjust FlexE groups synchronously with other network devices without impacting services, ensuring valid link additions, traffic support after deletions, and service flow support during regrouping, using overhead blocks or management channels for communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If FlexE groups are adjusted by adding or removing physical layer links, then bandwidth allocation flexibility is improved, but service flows are disrupted causing service interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing backup FlexE groups and configuring backup physical layer links before service adjustments are needed. When a service disruption risk is detected or adjustment is required, the system switches to the pre-configured backup group, avoiding service interruption. This is evident in the claims where backup FlexE groups are configured with alternative physical layer links that can immediately take over if the primary group needs adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by dynamically modifying the configuration parameters of FlexE groups, specifically the physical layer link associations and group mapping relationships. The system changes these parameters atomically - either all links are reconfigured together or none are changed - preventing partial states that would disrupt service. This allows bandwidth flexibility while maintaining service continuity through coordinated parameter updates.
2Adaptability or versatility
If FlexE groups are adjusted by regrouping physical layer links, then adaptability to different service scenarios is improved, but service flows are affected causing interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple FlexE group configurations and their associated physical layer link mappings. Before executing a regrouping operation, the system prepares the target configuration in advance and validates it. During execution, it switches to the pre-prepared configuration, ensuring that service flows are never interrupted. This is reflected in the claims where backup configurations are established before any regrouping occurs.
3Reliability
If synchronous adjustment of FlexE groups is implemented, then service disruption is avoided, but coordination complexity between network devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where network devices exchange synchronization status and configuration state information through defined communication protocols. Each device reports its current FlexE group configuration and readiness state, and receives feedback from peer devices before executing adjustments. This coordinated feedback loop ensures all devices are synchronized before and during the adjustment process, maintaining service continuity while managing complexity through structured information exchange.
Data Source
AI summary
A first network device determines configuration information of a target flexible Ethernet (FlexE) group to be adjusted, and adjusts the target FlexE group synchronously with a second network device based on the configuration information of the target FlexE group. The second network device communicates with the first network device through a physical layer link in the target FlexE group. The configuration information of the target FlexE group includes a backup FlexE group number and a backup FlexE map of the target FlexE group, and the backup FlexE map includes information about the physical layer link in the target FlexE group. The first network device and the second network device perform synchronous adjustment.