Hierarchical Network Active Redundant Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional network protocols, such as spanning tree protocols, are slow to react to topology changes and waste bandwidth by blocking all but one interconnection to a node, while alternative systems like Ethernet Protection Switching Ring are limited to ring topologies and inefficient in using bandwidth.
Innovation Solution
A hierarchical network structure is formed with a core domain and multiple child domains, where traffic flow topology is updated only within the affected domain, allowing all interconnections between nodes to remain active and carry traffic, and messages are exchanged to manage link status changes between parent and child domains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional spanning tree protocols are used to manage network topology, then network stability is maintained, but the network responds slowly to topology changes and blocks redundant interconnection links
Solution Approach 1:
The network is divided into multiple domains with hierarchical levels. Each domain independently manages its own traffic flow topology, segmenting the control scope. This allows rapid local response to topology changes within a domain without requiring全网 updates, thereby improving response speed while maintaining overall network stability through the hierarchical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic traffic flow topology updates that adapt to real-time network conditions. When topology changes occur, the system dynamically recalculates and updates traffic flows within the affected domain, enabling fast response to changes while maintaining network reliability through controlled dynamic adjustment rather than static blocking.
2Loss of energy
If all interconnection links are kept active to utilize bandwidth, then bandwidth efficiency improves, but the network becomes complex to manage topology changes
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the network into hierarchical domains and limiting traffic flow topology updates to only the affected domain during changes, the patent simplifies topology management complexity. Meanwhile, all interconnection links within each domain remain active and can carry traffic, improving bandwidth utilization efficiency without overwhelming the system with全网 update complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different domains to have independent traffic flow topology characteristics. Each domain manages its own active links and topology updates locally, enabling bandwidth-efficient use of all interconnection links while containing management complexity to local domain level rather than propagating it network-wide.
3Loss of time
If traffic flow topology is updated across the entire network upon any topology change, then network-wide consistency is maintained, but the response time increases and bandwidth is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The hierarchical domain structure segments the topology update scope. When a topology change occurs, only the affected domain updates its traffic flow topology, dramatically reducing update time. Network-wide consistency is maintained through the hierarchical parent-child domain relationships that propagate necessary information selectively, avoiding unnecessary全网 updates and bandwidth waste.
4Device complexity
If redundant interconnection links are blocked to simplify network management, then management complexity decreases, but bandwidth is wasted and fault tolerance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the network into hierarchical domains and implementing domain-local traffic flow topology management, the patent simplifies network management to the domain level. All redundant interconnection links within each domain remain active and carry traffic, maximizing bandwidth utilization while keeping management complexity contained at the domain level rather than requiring complex全网 management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous useful action by keeping all interconnection links active and carrying traffic continuously. Redundant links are not blocked but remain in service, providing both bandwidth utilization and fault tolerance. The hierarchical domain structure maintains management simplicity by handling topology changes locally without requiring continuous全网 reconfiguration.
Data Source
AI summary
A hierarchical structure network of devices is formed. A group of devices may be grouped together to form a domain. A plurality of domains formed in a hierarchical structure forms a hierarchical network. Traffic flow topology may be updated only within the same domain that topology changes. In one embodiment, traffic flow topology is updated only in a parent domain and a child domain when the status of a link connecting the two domain changes. Thus, other domains within the network have no need to update the traffic flow topology and remain agnostic to the traffic flow updates. Thus, responsiveness of the network to topology changes is improved. Multiple links may each carry traffic if multiple links exist between nodes. As such, a network of robust redundant interconnections with active links is formed that react quickly to network topology changes and that uses the interconnection links in an efficient manner.