Layer 3 Satellite Network Data Forwarding with VLAN IDs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network configurations at the distribution layer create multiple independent control planes, making management and administration burdensome and limiting satellite network architecture, which requires a single control plane.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where each port of a Layer 3 satellite is assigned a unique VLAN ID, allowing routers to manage and route data packets efficiently across the network, with VLAN tagging and stripping, and using protocols like HSRP/VRRP for redundancy and load sharing, enabling centralized management and reduced network management points.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If each linecard is configured to operate as a separate router with independent control planes, then hardware modularity and scalability are improved, but management complexity and administrative burden increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware modularityVSAvoidmanagement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple independent control planes into a single centralized control plane that manages all linecards. The centralized control plane assigns unique VLAN IDs to each linecard port and maintains a mapping table, consolidating control functions while preserving hardware modularity. This resolves the contradiction by combining control functions (reducing management complexity) while keeping linecards as independent hardware modules (maintaining adaptability).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a centralized control plane as an intermediary between the physical linecards and the network management system. This intermediary assigns VLAN IDs to linecard ports and maintains mapping relationships, simplifying management while preserving hardware independence. The intermediary layer abstracts the complexity of managing multiple independent routers, resolving the contradiction between modularity and manageability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If multiple independent control planes are implemented at the distribution layer, then each router can handle its own interfaces independently, but satellite network architecture requirements for a single control plane are violated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent interface handlingVSAvoidsatellite network compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control functions by separating the centralized control plane (for satellite network compatibility) from the distributed linecard execution (for independent interface handling). The centralized control plane maintains the single control plane requirement for satellite networks, while linecards execute forwarding rules independently based on assigned VLAN IDs, satisfying both requirements simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent resolves the contradiction by operating at different hierarchical dimensions: the centralized control plane operates at the network management dimension (satisfying satellite architecture requirements), while linecards operate at the data forwarding dimension (enabling independent interface handling). This dimensional separation allows both independent operation and centralized control to coexist.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If a centralized control plane is implemented to reduce management complexity, then network management is simplified, but the ability to configure different software and hardware images on each router is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanagement complexityVSAvoidsoftware configuration flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allowing each linecard to have customized hardware configurations and software images tailored to specific interface requirements, while the centralized control plane provides unified management. Each linecard can be configured with different capabilities locally, but management is centralized, resolving the contradiction between customization flexibility and management simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS7792124B2Data forwarding in a layer three satellite network

Publication Date: 2010.09.07 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Method and system for providing access layer satellite architecture in a data network including receiving a data packet from an access layer network device, the data packet including a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) identifier associated with a port on the access layer network device, performing a route lookup procedure based on the received data packet to determine a destination of the data packet, updating an ARP table with a Media Access Control (MAC) address associated with the VLAN identifier and the port of the received data packet, and transmitting the data packet to a destination network device, is disclosed.