Four-Path Parallel Redundancy Protocol Network Resilience
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial process control and automation systems using standard Parallel Redundancy Protocol (PRP) networks are susceptible to failures in multiple fault situations, leading to critical communication disruptions and potential plant shutdowns or safety incidents.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a modified PRP network design that interconnects redundant networks in a managed switch environment, using a unique MAC addressing scheme to prevent MAC flapping errors and enhance network resilience by duplicating data packets across four network paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard PRP network design is used with two independent networks, then network simplicity is maintained, but the system cannot withstand dual failures and is susceptible to catastrophic communication losses
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into four distinct transmission paths (two physical networks with two paths each) instead of using two independent networks. Each path is assigned a unique MAC address, creating separate communication channels that can independently handle failures. This segmentation allows the system to withstand dual failures while maintaining manageable complexity through structured organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds an additional dimension to the network architecture by introducing unique MAC addresses for each of the four paths, rather than reusing MAC addresses across paths. This dimensional addition (unique path identification) enables the system to distinguish between different failure modes and maintain communication through alternative paths, significantly improving resilience without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Reliability
If unique MAC addresses are assigned to each of the four network paths, then the system can withstand dual failures, but the addressing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The addressing scheme is segmented into four distinct MAC addresses, each uniquely identifying a specific transmission path. This segmentation allows the system to track and manage each path independently, enabling failure tolerance through precise path identification while maintaining systematic organization that prevents addressing complexity from becoming unmanageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates four copies of the network interface identifier (MAC address) instead of reusing a single identifier. Each copy is uniquely assigned to a specific path, allowing the system to distinguish between parallel transmission channels. This copying approach with unique identifiers enables the system to handle path failures individually while maintaining overall network functionality.
3Reliability
If data packets are duplicated across four network paths, then communication resilience is enhanced, but the network bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements partial redundancy by sending duplicated packets across four paths rather than requiring all paths to be simultaneously functional. The unique MAC addressing enables the receiver to accept packets from any functional path, allowing the system to tolerate dual failures while consuming bandwidth only on active paths. This partial action approach balances resilience enhancement with bandwidth conservation.
Data Source
AI summary
The data communication system and method comprises at least a first network and a second network. A first node interface is connected to a second node interface over the first network and to a second node interface over the second network. The data communication system is configured to send data packaged in a data packet frame and to duplicate the data packet frame into a plurality of alternate data packet frames. The data communication system sends the data packet frame and duplicated data packet frames from the first node interface to the second node interface via the first network using a first network address and sends the data packet frame and the duplicated data packet frames from the first node interface to the second node interface via the second network using a second network address.