Hitless Protection Link Aggregation Marker Synchronization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Hitless protection in packet switched networks faces challenges in ensuring no traffic loss during failures and managing random traffic patterns, packet loss, and flexible packet distribution, particularly with the introduction of link aggregation groups which complicate the synchronization of working and protecting paths.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a link aggregation group in hitless protection networks involves generating internal marker packets at source nodes to aggregate traffic from different paths, configuring destination nodes to form a link aggregation group, and determining correctness information for received traffic flows to ensure seamless hitless protection, even in the presence of random traffic patterns and packet loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If link aggregation group is added to hitless protection, then traffic aggregation and flexible packet distribution are improved, but synchronization of working and protecting paths becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces LAG membership identifier fields as intermediary elements that mediate between the working and protecting paths. These identifiers act as mediators to track and synchronize traffic flows across different paths, reducing the complexity of direct path synchronization while maintaining adaptability for traffic aggregation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to path management by introducing LAG membership identifiers as an additional layer of abstraction. This dimensional addition allows traffic to be tracked and synchronized not just by path identity but also by LAG group membership, thereby managing complexity through dimensional expansion.
2Reliability
If internal marker packets are generated for traffic aggregation, then traffic flow synchronization is improved, but network overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by generating marker packets selectively rather than continuously. Markers are inserted at specific intervals and only when needed for traffic aggregation decisions, reducing overall network overhead while maintaining sufficient synchronization reliability for hitless protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the marker packet function into different types and placement strategies. Rather than using a single uniform marker approach, the system divides marker usage into configurable segments based on traffic patterns and protection requirements, optimizing the balance between synchronization reliability and overhead.
3Measurement precision
If correctness information is determined for received traffic flows, then hitless protection accuracy is improved, but processing complexity at destination nodes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring LAG membership identifiers and correctness criteria at destination nodes before traffic arrival. This pre-preparation reduces real-time processing complexity while maintaining high measurement precision for detecting correct traffic flows during hitless protection switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where correctness information about received traffic flows is continuously monitored and used to adjust protection switching decisions. This feedback loop improves detection accuracy while the feedback data is efficiently utilized to minimize processing complexity through intelligent decision-making.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for traffic aggregation in a hitless protected packet switched network having source and destination nodes. The method includes enabling a working path and a protecting path between the source and destination nodes. The working path is non-overlapping with respect to the protecting path. The method includes generating, using a processor, internal marker packets at working and protecting input ports of the source nodes. Each market packet represents a respective marker time period. The method includes transmitting the marker packets to working and protecting output ports of the source nodes, by the working and protecting input ports of the source nodes. The method includes selectively aggregating, at each of the working and protecting output ports of the source nodes, hitless traffic sent from different working and protecting inputs ports of the source nodes to provide an aggregated flow there from, responsive to the marker packets.