Link Aggregation Port Normality Checking via Physical Path Enumeration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing frame transmission systems using link aggregation do not thoroughly check the normality of multiple frame transfer paths within a communication apparatus, as they primarily inspect only one specific physical port when bundling multiple physical ports into a logical port, leading to incomplete path validation.
Innovation Solution
A frame transmission apparatus with a monitoring unit that transfers maintenance management frames across all combinations of physical ports within the apparatus, ensuring comprehensive checking of frame transfer paths by selecting each physical port as both a transmission source and destination, thereby covering all possible paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a MEP is set while link aggregation is configured and information on a logical port is used, then the operation simplifies and follows standard Ethernet OAM procedures, but only one specific physical port is checked among multiple physical ports, resulting in incomplete path validation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frame transfer checking process into multiple individual physical port combinations. When a logical port is designated as transmission source or destination, the system automatically divides the checking into multiple segments, each corresponding to a specific physical port combination, ensuring comprehensive coverage of all possible paths while maintaining simplified logical port-based configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a dimension of physical port combination enumeration to the existing logical port-based MEP setting. By introducing the concept of checking all possible physical port combinations (source port × destination port) that constitute a logical port, the system maintains ease of operation at the logical layer while achieving thorough validation at the physical layer.
2Ease of manufacture
If maintenance management frames are transferred using logical port information, then the configuration process is simplified, but the number of physical ports actually checked is reduced to one, leading to incomplete validation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the monitoring unit to automatically enumerate and check all physical port combinations that constitute a logical port. The system autonomously identifies which physical ports belong to which logical ports and performs comprehensive checking without requiring manual configuration of each physical port combination, thus maintaining configuration simplicity while achieving complete validation.
3Productivity
If only one specific physical port is checked among multiple physical ports in link aggregation, then the checking process is faster and requires fewer resources, but the normality of multiple frame transfer paths is not thoroughly verified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual physical port checking operations into a unified logical port-based checking framework. By combining all physical port combinations under the umbrella of logical port configuration, the system achieves comprehensive path validation while presenting a simplified interface to operators, effectively merging the benefits of both detailed physical port checking and simplified logical port management.
Data Source
AI summary
A frame transmission apparatus includes multiple ports provided in a line unit, and a setting control unit. The setting control unit checks the normality of the frame transfer state within the apparatus by transferring a maintenance management frame from a first port to a second port within the apparatus. When the first port is a logical port configured by link aggregation of multiple physical ports, the setting control unit selects each of the multiple physical ports as a transmission source port and transfers multiple maintenance management frames from the multiple physical ports to the second port.