Mesh Network Switch Path Verification Request

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In mesh networks, existing technologies fail to verify the operability of selected paths before data packet transmission, leading to potential data loss due to link failures, as the first mesh network switch cannot determine if the chosen path is still operational.

Innovation Solution

A path verification request is directed along a specific path to test its operability, using a mesh tag with unique identifiers for the source, destination, and path, allowing each switch to verify the path connection information and confirm its correctness, and if failed, switch to a redundant path.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mesh network switches periodically exchange meshing cost protocol packets to determine path costs, then path selection is optimized, but path operability cannot be verified between periodic exchanges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepath operability verificationVSAvoidtime between path verification

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic path verification by having mesh network switches exchange verification requests at defined intervals. This ensures paths are regularly tested for operability while maintaining an balance between reliability verification and network overhead, directly addressing the contradiction between verification reliability and time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If a path failure occurs between periodic exchanges, then data transmission is disrupted, but frequent verification increases network overhead

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidverification protocol complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where mesh network switches send verification requests along selected paths and receive verification responses. This feedback loop allows switches to confirm path operability before data transmission, ensuring reliability without requiring excessively frequent verification that would increase complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the first mesh network switch selects the lowest cost path based on meshing cost protocol packets, then transmission efficiency is optimized, but the path may fail without detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata packet transmission efficiencyVSAvoidpath selection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the first mesh network switch send a path verification request along the selected lowest-cost path before transmitting data packets. This preliminary verification step confirms the path is operational, ensuring both transmission efficiency through optimal path selection and reliability through pre-transmission verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7382734B2Directing a path verification request along a specific path to a mesh network switch to test operability of the specific path

Publication Date: 2008.06.03 HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEV LP

AI summary

An apparatus in one example comprises a first mesh network switch that directs a path verification request along a specific path to a second mesh network switch to test operability of the specific path.