MAC-Layer Fault Notification Using Ordered Sets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network reliability solutions, such as automatic protection switching (APS), suffer from excessively long recovery times due to inefficient fault propagation during service interruptions, limiting performance in industrial networks like IEC 61850-9-2 and IEC 61784.
Innovation Solution
A fault information notification method that generates and propagates fault notifications through bit streams at the MAC layer using interframe gaps, utilizing reserved fields in ordered sets to convey fault and recovery information across network devices, thereby shortening fault redundancy recovery time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fault notifications are propagated through higher-layer protocols (e.g., STP, RSTP, CFM), then fault detection can be achieved, but fault propagation time is excessively long (dozens of milliseconds to seconds)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces higher-layer protocol processing (software-based) with physical-layer bit stream transmission (hardware-based). Fault notifications are encoded as ordered sets at the physical layer and transmitted through interframe gaps, bypassing the slow higher-layer protocol stack. This substitution reduces fault propagation time from tens of milliseconds to microseconds by eliminating software processing delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (physical layer ordered sets) that bridges fault detection between network devices. Instead of relying on higher-layer protocol messages, the system uses dedicated physical layer signaling (ordered sets containing fault indication bits) to rapidly communicate fault status across the network, acting as a fast intermediary channel.
2Reliability
If redundant paths are used for seamless failover (e.g., IEEE 802.1CB, HSR, PRP), then fault recovery is improved, but bandwidth consumption and deployment cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial redundancy by using reserved fields in existing ordered sets for fault notification purposes. Instead of creating entirely new communication channels or protocols, the system partially utilizes unused capacity in existing physical layer structures (ordered sets and interframe gaps) to carry fault information, achieving fast failover without proportionally increasing bandwidth consumption.
3Ease of manufacture
If existing protocol structures are used for fault notification, then implementation is straightforward, but fault propagation speed is limited by protocol overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing physical layer structures (ordered sets and interframe gaps) multi-functional by using them both for their original purposes and for carrying fault notification information. This universal approach allows the same infrastructure to serve dual functions without adding separate dedicated fault communication channels, maintaining implementation simplicity while achieving high-speed fault propagation.
Data Source
AI summary
A fault information notification method is performed by a first network device. The first network device includes a first port and a second port. The method includes: after the first port detects a first fault, generating a first fault notification through the first port; and sending, through the second port, a first bit stream generated by the first port, where the first bit stream carries the first fault notification written according to a preset definition.