IPv6 Communication Connection Handover for Uninterrupted Automation Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial automation systems face disruptions and increased failures due to interruptions in communication connections, particularly with IPv6 networks, where changes in communication network addresses can lead to temporary interruptions and system malfunctions, resulting in costly production stoppages.
Innovation Solution
A method for setting up an uninterrupted communication connection using a monitoring unit that checks for valid communication network addresses via a name resolution protocol, initiating a new connection using multipath TCP functionality, allowing for transparent network renumbering without the need for additional measures like VPN tunnels, and utilizing provider-aggregatable IPv6 addresses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If communication network addresses are changed in an IPv6 network for network renumbering, then the network can be reconfigured or optimized, but the existing protected communication connection is temporarily interrupted causing system malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring unit proactively checks for new valid communication network addresses before the current connection is affected. When a new address is detected, the system initiates setup of an additional communication connection in advance, ensuring continuity when the old connection is terminated due to address changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring unit acts as an intermediary between the communication devices, continuously monitoring for address changes and coordinating the establishment of new connections. This intermediary function allows seamless transition from old to new addresses without interrupting the overall communication flow.
2Reliability
If a monitoring unit continuously checks for new communication network addresses using a name resolution protocol, then uninterrupted communication can be maintained during address changes, but additional system resources and complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The communication devices perform self-monitoring for address changes using standard name resolution protocols. Each device independently checks for new addresses and manages its own connection transitions, eliminating the need for complex centralized monitoring systems while maintaining high reliability.
3Reliability
If additional protected communication connections are set up via VPN tunnels to maintain continuity during address changes, then communication reliability is improved, but the device complexity and configuration overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The communication connection is made dynamic by automatically establishing additional connections when address changes are detected. The system adapts its connection topology in real-time based on address validity, transitioning from static to dynamic connection management without requiring complex pre-configured VPN tunnels.
Data Source
AI summary
A method in which a monitoring unit allocated to a communication device checks, based on a name resolution protocol, whether a second communication network address allocated to the first communication device becomes valid in order to set up an uninterrupted communication connection to the communication device that is allocated to an industrial automation system, where in cases of an allocation of a new valid communication network address and an existing communication connection, the monitoring unit initiates a set-up of an additional communication connection using the new communication network address.