MAC-sync Failure Detection in Distributed Trunking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions fail to quickly and effectively identify MAC-sync failures in distributed trunking environments, particularly due to ISC link failures or interoperability issues between STP and DT, leading to connectivity losses between switches located in different locations.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for real-time detection, identification, and reporting of MAC-sync failures using pre-configured DT switches and SNMP servers, which dynamically detect and notify administrators of failure types through a look-up table and SNMP traps, enabling quick resolution of connectivity issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing solutions use show commands and debug commands centered around configuration mismatch, then basic connectivity monitoring is achieved, but quick and easy identification of mac-sync failures is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by monitoring mac-sync status and automatically generating notifications when failures occur. The system continuously checks the mac-sync state between DT switches and provides real-time feedback through notifications that include failure type identification and affected connections, enabling rapid response without manual investigation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary notification system that acts as a mediator between the DT switches and network administrators. This intermediary component collects failure information from switches and presents it in a standardized, easy-to-understand format through notifications, eliminating the need for administrators to interpret complex show commands and debug output
2Measurement precision
If existing solutions use low level logging or binary representation with active monitoring, then detailed mac table and interface status monitoring is achieved, but quick identification of mac-sync failures is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the critical mac-sync failure information from the complex low-level logging and binary representation. By filtering and extracting only the essential failure details (failure type, affected connections, switch identifiers), the system presents this information in a simplified format that can be quickly processed and acted upon, eliminating the time-consuming process of analyzing detailed binary logs
3Reliability
If existing solutions use STP traps for spanning tree loop detection, then loop detection is achieved, but cause and transition state of mac move is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mac-sync failure detection into distinct failure types (ISC link down, mac move, STP blocking, etc.). Each failure type is separately identified and reported with its specific characteristics and transition states, allowing administrators to understand not just that a failure occurred but exactly how and why it occurred, providing complete causal information
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for real-time detection, identification, and reporting of mac-sync failures in distributed trunking (DT) are disclosed. In one example, a mac-sync failure between a pair of communicatively coupled DT switches is detected in real-time. Further, a type of mac-sync failure between the pair of DT switches is dynamically identified upon detecting the mac-sync failure. Furthermore, an information technology (IT) admin is dynamically notified about the type of mac-sync failure between the pair of DT switches.