MAC Address Learning Overwrite via Traffic Amount Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

In networks with L2 devices, band compression occurs due to frame flooding when a MAC address is overwritten, leading to inefficient traffic management.

Innovation Solution

A communication device measures traffic amounts and holds MAC entry information, overwriting the minimum traffic MAC entry information when the limit is reached to minimize flooding effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the device overwrites MAC address learning information when the maximum learned number is reached, then the number of learned MAC addresses is maintained at the limit, but frame flooding occurs when a frame addressed to the overwritten MAC is received again, causing band compression

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of learned MAC addressesVSAvoidframe flooding and band compression

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter for MAC address selection from simple counter-based overwrite to traffic amount-based selection. By measuring traffic amounts and selecting the MAC entry with the minimum traffic amount for overwrite, the system reduces the likelihood of flooding harmful frames, thus resolving the band compression issue while maintaining the maximum number of learned MAC addresses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces feedback through traffic amount measurement for each MAC entry. The measured traffic amounts are used to determine which MAC entry should be overwritten, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to actual network conditions and reduces unnecessary flooding while maintaining optimal MAC address learning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the device floods frames to all ports when a unlearned MAC address is received, then the frame can be delivered to the correct destination, but band compression is caused due to excessive traffic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframe deliveryVSAvoidband compression

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the selection criterion for MAC entries to be overwritten based on traffic amount rather than simple learning count. By selecting the MAC entry with the minimum traffic amount, the system ensures that only necessary flooding occurs, maintaining frame delivery reliability while minimizing band compression losses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12010087B2Communication device, address learning method, and program

Publication Date: 2024.06.11 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP

AI summary

An object of the present disclosure is to reduce band compression even in a case where a frame addressed to an original (overwritten) MAC is received again after a MAC address is overwritten.A communication device according to the present disclosure measures a traffic amount in any predetermined determination data unit, holds MAC entry information including the measured traffic amount and a MAC address in a MAC learning data holding unit, at the time when the number of pieces of MAC entry information held by the MAC learning data holding unit reaches an upper limit, searches for minimum MAC entry information with a minimum traffic amount from among traffic data amounts in determination data unit held by the MAC learning data holding unit, and overwrites the minimum MAC entry information obtained by search with unlearned MAC entry information that is not held by the MAC learning data holding unit.