Link Aggregation Group MAC Address Assignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current link aggregation (LAG) protocols require the entire LAG to be taken out of service when a member port wants to leave, as the real MAC address of the port being used as the LAG MAC address needs to be changed, leading to service interruptions and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

Assigning a unique LAG MAC address to two or more links or ports allows for the creation of a LAG without duplicating physical or real MAC addresses, enabling a port to be removed from the LAG without taking the entire LAG out of service by using a virtual MAC address that can be reassigned.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the real MAC address of a member port is used as the LAG MAC address, then the LAG can be configured quickly and automatically, but the entire LAG must be taken out of service when a member wants to leave

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveLAG configuration speedVSAvoidservice continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a virtual MAC address as an intermediary between the member ports' real MAC addresses and the LAG functionality. This virtual MAC address can be dynamically reassigned when member ports join or leave the LAG, eliminating the need to take the entire LAG out of service while maintaining the automatic configuration benefits of using real MAC addresses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the real MAC address of one member is chosen as the LAG MAC address, then the LAG behaves as a single virtual link, but port removal requires complete LAG downtime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevirtual link behaviorVSAvoidservice interruption time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the LAG MAC address dynamic by using a virtual MAC address that can be automatically reassigned when member ports are added or removed. This dynamic approach maintains the single virtual link behavior while allowing seamless port transitions without service interruption, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If a unique real MAC address is assigned to each communication interface, then all devices have distinct addresses, but LAG members cannot share a common MAC address for aggregation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaddress uniquenessVSAvoidLAG aggregation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent solves the address uniqueness problem by introducing a new dimension - the virtual MAC address layer. At the data link layer, member ports maintain their unique real MAC addresses for identification, while at the LAG functional layer, they share a common virtual MAC address for aggregation purposes. This multi-layered addressing approach satisfies both address uniqueness and LAG aggregation requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS8565085B2Link aggregation

Publication Date: 2013.10.22 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC

AI summary

A disclosed method and device relate to defining a link aggregation group (LAG) media access control (MAC) address and assigning the LAG MAC address to two or more links to define a LAG. The LAG MAC address does not duplicate physical MAC addresses associated with the links in the LAG. Datagrams associated with the links in the LAG are routed based on the LAG MAC address.