Layer Two Network Conversion to Routed Mesh Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
In highly meshed or fabric data center network topologies, the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) leads to significant bandwidth waste due to redundant links, and while Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP) improves bandwidth utilization, it requires complex configuration and may not optimize bandwidth use if there are few VLAN groups or common path selections.
Innovation Solution
A method to convert the routing mode of a network by establishing initial routes through STP, disabling the STP function, populating forwarding tables with predetermined routing paths, and flushing firewalls to establish new routes without STP, allowing for efficient bandwidth utilization in data center networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If STP is applied to avoid loops in layer two network, then network stability is improved, but bandwidth utilization deteriorates due to blocked redundant links
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the loop prevention function from the STP protocol and implements it through a different mechanism - using routing protocols and firewall rules at layer three to prevent loops while allowing all layer two links to remain active. This separates the loop prevention function from the layer two switching function, enabling full bandwidth utilization while maintaining network stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the loop prevention mechanism from layer two (STP) to layer three (routing protocols and firewall rules). By operating at a different protocol layer, the system can prevent loops through routing table management and firewall filtering rather than blocking layer two links, thus resolving the bandwidth utilization problem while maintaining loop prevention.
2Loss of energy
If MSTP is used to improve bandwidth utilization through separate spanning trees for VLAN groups, then bandwidth utilization is improved, but device complexity increases due to complex configuration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the loop prevention function from MSTP and implements it through standard routing protocols and firewall rules. This eliminates the need for complex MSTP configuration while achieving the same loop prevention goal, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining or improving bandwidth utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses universal layer three routing protocols and firewall mechanisms that can handle multiple VLANs and traffic types without requiring separate configurations for each VLAN group. This multi-functional approach simplifies configuration compared to MSTP's VLAN-specific spanning tree instances while achieving comparable or better bandwidth utilization.
3Loss of energy
If MSTP is deployed to optimize paths for different VLAN groups, then bandwidth utilization is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complex configuration and path selection management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic path selection using routing protocols that dynamically calculate optimal paths based on current network conditions. The system self-adjusts routing paths without manual configuration, eliminating the operational complexity of managing multiple MSTP instances while achieving efficient bandwidth utilization through automated route optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of converting a routing mode of a network is provided, wherein a plurality of first routes connected a central controller to a plurality of nodes are established in the network through a spanning tree protocol and a plurality of second routes between the nodes in the network through the spanning tree protocol. The method includes enabling a firewall of each of the nodes to block the second routes; disabling a spanning tree protocol function of each of the nodes; populating a forwarding table of each of the nodes with a plurality of predetermined routing paths; and flushing the firewall of each of the nodes, wherein a plurality of third routes between the central controller and the plurality of nodes are established according to the predetermined routing paths without the spanning tree protocol, after the firewall of each of the nodes is flushed.