Logical Port Binding for Network Reliability and Bandwidth
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing mode of equivalence routes in communication networks faces limitations in increasing communication bandwidth and reliability due to the scarcity of IP addresses and limited physical ports, making it difficult to establish routes between large numbers of network elements.
Innovation Solution
The method involves creating logical ports at network elements and binding them with multiple physical ports, allowing data to be forwarded through any available physical port, thereby improving bandwidth utilization and reliability by determining whether the egress port is logical or physical and choosing an appropriate physical port for data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If equivalence routes are established between network elements using physical ports, then communication reliability is improved, but the number of required IP addresses increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a logical port that copies the functionality of multiple physical ports. Instead of allocating separate IP addresses to each physical port, a single IP address is assigned to the logical port which then binds to multiple physical ports. This copying approach allows the logical port to represent multiple physical interfaces without proportionally increasing IP address consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The logical port serves multiple functions by binding to multiple physical ports simultaneously. A single logical port with one IP address can handle communications through multiple physical interfaces, making the system more universal and adaptable. This multi-functionality allows the same logical port to utilize different physical ports based on availability and load conditions.
2Reliability
If multiple physical ports are allocated for each network element to ensure redundant routing, then forwarding reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple physical ports under a single logical port abstraction. Instead of managing each physical port independently with separate configurations and IP addresses, multiple physical ports are combined into one logical port that is managed as a single entity. This reduces configuration complexity while maintaining the redundancy benefits of multiple physical interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The logical port acts as an intermediary between the upper-layer networking protocols and the multiple physical ports. It provides a simplified interface that abstracts away the complexity of managing multiple physical connections, while still enabling redundant routing paths. The logical port mediates between the single IP address assignment and the multiple physical port requirements.
3Productivity
If equivalence routes are established to balance load across communication links, then communication bandwidth is increased, but the number of physical ports required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the abstraction level from physical ports to logical ports. By introducing this new parameter level, the system can achieve equivalent bandwidth distribution without requiring additional physical ports. The logical port binding mechanism allows dynamic allocation and load balancing across existing physical ports, maximizing their utilization without physical expansion.
Data Source
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AI summary
In a method for forwarding data, when at least one logical port is created at a network element connected directly with one peer network element and the logical port is bound with at least two physical ports of the network element which are connected with the peer network element, determine an egress port for forwarding the data; if the egress port is a logical port, choose one physical port from the physical ports bound with the logical port, forward the data through the chosen physical port; if the egress port is a physical port, forward the data through the physical port . A network element for forwarding data is also provided. Through the method and the network element, the reliability and communication bandwidth for forwarding data are improved.