Horseshoe Topology for Ring Network Fault Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Achieving high levels of network quality and availability in Packet Switched Networks (PSNs) for media service delivery, such as video services, is challenging due to the need for scalability and integration of multiple services like voice and high-speed data without compromising reliability, quality, manageability, or serviceability, as opposed to the mature and dedicated Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HFC) networks.
Innovation Solution
A method for managing faults in a ring network involves configuring primary and backup communications paths and connections to create a 'horseshoe' topology using Virtual Private Local Area Network (VPLS) and Multi-Protocol LAN Service (MPLS) technologies, which allows for media distribution with a logical break in the ring, enabling redundancy and self-healing capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If media distribution is disabled on a communications link between adjacent nodes in a ring network, then network reliability is improved by preventing fault propagation, but network connectivity is worsened by creating a logical break that requires backup paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-configures backup communications paths and secondary connections between non-adjacent nodes before faults occur. When a fault is detected on a primary link, the system can immediately activate these pre-established alternative paths without requiring complex real-time routing decisions, thus maintaining connectivity while isolating the fault.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate nodes and secondary connections that act as mediators when primary communication paths fail. These intermediate elements provide alternative routing options that bypass faulty links, allowing the network to maintain connectivity while isolating the problematic segment.
2Reliability
If primary and backup communications paths are configured for fault tolerance, then network availability is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple communication paths and connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ring network into distinct primary and backup communication paths. By dividing the network topology into separate functional segments (primary paths for normal operation, backup paths for fault tolerance), the system can manage complexity through modular configuration where each segment operates independently with defined roles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic path selection where the network can switch between primary and backup communications paths based on detected faults. This dynamic behavior allows the system to maintain simplicity during normal operation (using only primary paths) while providing complex redundancy only when needed, thus managing the trade-off between availability and complexity.
3Reliability
If the ring network is configured with a logical break to prevent fault propagation, then fault isolation is improved, but recovery time increases due to the need to activate backup paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-configures backup communications paths and establishes secondary connections between non-adjacent nodes before faults occur. This preliminary setup ensures that when a fault is detected and the logical break is activated, the backup paths are already in place and can be immediately activated, minimizing the time required for service restoration.
4Productivity
If the network scales from hundreds to millions of users, then service capacity is improved, but network manageability and serviceability worsen due to increased complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the large-scale network into modular ring configurations with standardized fault management mechanisms. Each ring can be independently managed with consistent primary and backup path configurations, allowing the overall network to scale to millions of users while maintaining manageable complexity through repetition of proven modular units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal fault management framework that can be applied across the entire scaled network. The same primary path configuration, backup path establishment, and fault isolation mechanisms work consistently whether serving hundreds or millions of users, providing multi-functionality that handles both normal operation and fault conditions across all network scales.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of managing faults in a ring network may include configuring a ring network to be in a “horseshoe” topology by disabling a communications link from distributing media between a selected pair of adjacent nodes while allowing other communications or non-related media to continue to be distributed via the adjacent nodes. In the event of a failure, the disabled communications path may be re-enabled, and first or second backup communications paths may be employed, where the first backup communications path may use primary connections between adjacent nodes used for primary communications paths normally used to carry the media, and the second backup communications paths may use secondary connections between non-adjacent nodes. The disabled communications path may be dynamically moved in a logical or physical manner in an event of a communications link or node failure to maintain a “horseshoe” topology in the ring network.