Link Aggregation Group Link State Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing link aggregation protocols, such as LACP, face challenges in efficiently adapting the number of active links based on traffic load due to long reaction times and interoperability issues, especially when dealing with legacy nodes, which can lead to suboptimal power management and compatibility problems.
Innovation Solution
A method where a network entity independently adjusts the number of active links in a Link Aggregation Group (LAG) by measuring and comparing transmit and receive traffic levels against predefined thresholds, allowing for changes without message exchange, enabling efficient power saving and compatibility with legacy systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a negotiation protocol (handshake) is used to dynamically adjust the number of active links in a LAG, then the system can adapt to traffic load changes, but the reaction time becomes relatively long due to message exchange requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables one network entity to independently adjust the number of active links in a LAG based on its own traffic load measurements without requiring negotiation or handshake messages with the peer entity. The entity autonomously monitors traffic levels, compares them against thresholds, and dynamically changes link states (active/inactive) based on local conditions, thereby eliminating message exchange delays and achieving immediate adaptation to traffic variations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a dedicated handshake message exchange is implemented for link adjustment, then dynamic adaptation is achieved, but device complexity and interoperability issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for dedicated handshake messages or complex negotiation protocols by enabling each network entity to independently monitor its own traffic load and autonomously adjust link states. This self-service approach removes the complexity of inter-entity communication protocols, avoids interoperability issues between different manufacturers, and simplifies the overall system while maintaining dynamic adaptation capability.
3Loss of energy
If the number of active links is reduced to save power, then energy consumption decreases, but traffic delivery capability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the number of active links in a LAG based on real-time traffic load monitoring. The system continuously measures traffic levels and compares them against predefined thresholds, automatically increasing or decreasing the number of active links as conditions change. This dynamic approach ensures that power consumption is optimized during low-traffic periods while maintaining sufficient bandwidth and traffic delivery capability during high-traffic periods, thereby resolving the contradiction between energy saving and productivity.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Apparatus and Method for communicating over a plurality of communication links A method in a first network entity (2) which is capable of communicating over a plurality of communication links (8) with a second network entity (4). The first network entity determines a level of transmit traffic (31) transmitted over the plurality of communication links to the second network entity. The first network entity further determines a level of receive traffic (32) received over the plurality of communication links from the second network entity. The first network entity further determines (33) if the level of transmit traffic and/or the level of receive traffic meet one or more requirements for changing a number of active links of the communication links. If so, the first network entity changes (34) the number of active links independently of the second network entity (4).