Hitless Ethernet Linkup via Flagged Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
As network size increases, the network resources required to implement traffic routing and forwarding mechanisms can impact network performance, leading to data unit loss during updates in network devices.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves updating network data unit processing information in network devices when a link becomes active, allowing for parallel notification and routing changes, thereby reducing data unit loss during the updating window.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network devices update processing information during link activation, then network adaptability improves, but data unit loss increases during the updating window
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-programming a flagged route in the network device before the link becomes active. This flagged route serves as a placeholder that prevents data unit loss during the updating window. When the link activates, the device transitions from the flagged route to the local route, ensuring continuous data transmission without loss. This resolves the contradiction by preparing the routing structure in advance to handle the transition period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a flagged route as an intermediary element during the link activation process. This flagged route acts as a temporary mediator between the old routing state and the new local route. Data units are temporarily directed through this flagged route during the updating window, preventing data loss while the device transitions to the optimal local routing path. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction between adaptability and data unit loss.
2Adaptability or versatility
If network size increases to improve network capacity, then network versatility improves, but network performance deteriorates due to increased routing resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the routing information parameter by introducing a flagged route state that distinguishes between active local routes and pending remote routes. This parameter change allows the network device to efficiently manage routing tables during link activation without requiring extensive additional resources. By modifying the routing information structure to include activation status flags, the system can scale to larger networks while maintaining performance through optimized resource utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are presented herein for managing the processing of network data units (NDUs) received by a network device. More specifically, the techniques relate to updating NDU processing information in a network device in response to a link becoming active, where the updating reduces the NDU loss when the NDU processing information is being updated.