Network Link Fault Detection via Control Frame Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for link state passing-through in point-to-point access networks are inefficient, causing unnecessary network overhead and potential misoperation due to bandwidth occupation and delayed fault detection, especially during network congestion and link recovery.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses control frames to detect and communicate link faults, allowing remote service devices to disconnect and reconnect users through spare networks, reducing bandwidth usage and enhancing network reliability by using de-dithering treatments for fault judgment and recovery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If periodical peer-to-peer inform of linking information is used, then link fault detection is achieved, but network bandwidth is occupied and extra network overhead is generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelink fault detectionVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth occupation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the link state information from the data transmission channel and places it in a dedicated overhead field of the frame structure. This separation allows link state monitoring without occupying additional network bandwidth for periodic peer-to-peer inform messages, thereby reducing network overhead while maintaining reliable fault detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The service device acts as an intermediary that collects link state information from multiple access points and distributes it to remote users. Instead of direct peer-to-peer communication, the service device mediates the information exchange, reducing the communication burden on the network and eliminating the need for periodic inform messages between end users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If peer-to-peer inform of linking information is used, then link fault detection is achieved, but in case of network congestion the inform will be delayed and may result in misoperation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelink fault detection accuracyVSAvoidfault detection delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by continuously monitoring and updating link state information in the frame overhead as data packets are transmitted, rather than waiting for periodic inform messages. This allows the system to have link state information readily available when faults occur, eliminating detection delays caused by network congestion during periodic reporting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The link state monitoring is performed continuously alongside normal data transmission, with each transmitted frame carrying current link state information. This continuous monitoring approach ensures that fault detection is not interrupted by network congestion, maintaining both accuracy and timeliness of fault detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If detection of the spare network is performed in real time, then link fault response is improved, but bandwidth of the spare network is occupied and extra overhead is generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelink fault responseVSAvoidspare network bandwidth occupation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by having the service device automatically detect link faults and proactively notify remote users through the main network before the fault affects communication. This eliminates the need for continuous real-time monitoring of the spare network, as the system automatically switches to the spare path when faults are detected, reducing spare network overhead while maintaining fast response.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If link state passing-through function is implemented, then remote user can initiate spare network, but when links recover to normal it is troublesome to leave the spare network and return to working network

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespare network initiationVSAvoidnetwork switching operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by having the service device continuously monitor link recovery status and automatically notify remote users when the working link is restored. Upon receiving this feedback, remote users can automatically switch back to the working network without manual intervention, simplifying the return process while maintaining reliable spare network initiation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS7660240B2Method of achieving the network link status penetrate

Publication Date: 2010.02.09 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

The invention discloses a method for implementing link state passing-through in network, for informing the peer of link fault, including: the service device detecting whether there is a link fault in the network; in case of link fault, the service device transferring link fault information to peer service device with a control frame; in response to the control frame containing link fault information, the peer service device disconnecting the user's link and performing corresponding processes; the user at the faulty peer communicating with peer user through the spare network; when the link recovers to normal, the service device at the recovery peer sending a control frame containing link fault recovery information to peer service device to reestablish communication between the users on the link. The invention is capable of reducing extra overhead under normal network conditions as much as possible.