Intermediate Switch Rerouting for Network Port Malfunction Resilience
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional network resilience and failure recovery techniques are inefficient and burdensome, failing to dynamically address network port malfunctions without negatively impacting network performance.
Innovation Solution
An intermediate switch is configured to reroute communication between operational network ports and redundant ports upon detection of a malfunction, using optical switches and redundant network ports that remain offline until needed, minimizing hardware requirements and maintaining network performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional network resilience techniques are used to address network port malfunctions, then network reliability is improved, but network performance deteriorates and the system becomes burdensome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring redundant network ports and establishing backup communication paths before malfunctions occur. The intermediate switch maintains ready-to-use alternative routes, so when a network port malfunction is detected, traffic can be immediately rerouted without performance degradation. This proactive preparation resolves the contradiction by ensuring both high reliability (through pre-established backups) and maintained productivity (through instant failover without disruption).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate switch as a mediator between network ports and the core network infrastructure. This intermediary device monitors network port status, detects malfunctions, and dynamically reroutes traffic through redundant paths. By placing this intelligent mediator in the network path, the system achieves improved reliability through automated fault management while maintaining performance through the mediator's efficient routing capabilities, avoiding the burdensomeness of conventional techniques.
2Quantity of substance
If redundant network ports are kept offline until needed, then hardware requirements are reduced, but network resilience must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing redundant network ports that serve dual purposes: they remain offline as dormant resources to minimize hardware requirements, yet can be instantly activated to provide network resilience when needed. The intermediate switch manages these multi-functional ports, keeping them in a low-resource state during normal operation while maintaining the capability to provide backup paths. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the same hardware to fulfill both space-saving and reliability-providing functions at different times.
3Productivity
If dynamic rerouting is implemented to minimize disruption, then network performance is maintained, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the intermediate switch to autonomously monitor network port status, detect malfunctions, and execute dynamic rerouting decisions without external intervention. The system performs self-diagnosis and self-correction, maintaining network performance through automated responses to failures. This resolves the contradiction by having the system manage its own complexity internally, allowing dynamic rerouting capabilities while presenting a simplified interface to the rest of the network.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for resilience in network communications are provided. An example system includes a first network port pair including a first input network port and a first output network port. The system further includes an intermediate switch configured to communicably connect the first input network port and the first output network port and a first redundant network port communicably connected with the intermediate switch. The intermediate switch establishes communication between the first input network port and the first redundant network port in an instance in which the intermediate switch receives an indication of a malfunction associated with the first output network port or establishes communication between the first output network port and the first redundant network port in an instance in which the intermediate switch receives an indication of a malfunction associated with the first input network port.