MAC Address Table Aging for Broadcast and Memory Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing MAC address table management in communication networks faces inefficiencies due to limited capacity, leading to unnecessary data traffic and resource wastage when active entries are mistakenly replaced with passive entries, causing broadcast frames and bandwidth waste.
Innovation Solution
Implementing distinct first and second running times for timer-based MAC address management, where the first running time is shorter than the second, allowing for more efficient removal of unused entries and making room for active ones, thus optimizing the MAC address table size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single running time is used for all MAC address entries in the MAC address table, then the table maintains a fixed size, but active entries may be mistakenly replaced with passive entries causing unnecessary broadcasts and bandwidth waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the MAC address table into two distinct areas: a first area for active MAC address entries with a first running time, and a second area for passive MAC address entries with a second running time. This segmentation allows differential aging policies that prevent active entries from being mistakenly replaced, thereby reducing unnecessary broadcasts and bandwidth waste while maintaining network efficiency.
2Quantity of substance
If the MAC address table capacity is increased to accommodate more entries, then more active entries can be stored, but the table size increases consuming more memory resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic aging times for different MAC address entries based on their activity status. Active entries retain longer in the first area while passive entries are moved to the second area with shorter retention. This dynamic management allows the table to effectively accommodate more active entries without permanently increasing memory allocation, as passive entries are automatically transitioned or removed.
3Productivity
If the aging time for MAC address entries is extended to retain more entries, then fewer broadcasts are needed, but the MAC address table fills up faster requiring more memory
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different aging characteristics to different locations within the MAC address table. The first area holds active entries with longer effective retention times to reduce broadcasts, while the second area holds passive entries with shorter retention times to control memory usage. This local quality differentiation allows the system to optimize broadcast efficiency without proportionally increasing overall memory capacity requirements.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for managing a MAC address table by a network node (210, 220A-220L, 230A-230L), the method comprising: defining (310) a first running time and a second running time for a timer (560); and the method further comprising: receiving (320) a frame; applying (340) the first running time in the timer (560) defined for a source of the received frame in response to a detection that an address of a destination missing in the MAC address table; and applying (350) a second running time in the timer (560) for MAC address of the source of the received frame and in the timer (560) for the MAC address of the destination in response to a detection that the address of the destination is present in the MAC address table. The invention also relates to a network node, a computer program product and a communication system.