Multi-Bridge LAN Aggregation for Single IP Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for providing redundant physical connections in computer networks are inefficient and create management challenges due to multiple IP addresses associated with a single host, and existing link aggregation protocols do not support multi-bridge configurations, leading to limited redundancy and bandwidth issues.
Innovation Solution
A multi-bridge LAN aggregation method that couples a host to multiple intermediate network devices using a tunnel engine and bridge interconnect port, allowing for link aggregation across redundant paths and maintaining a single IP address, even in the event of bridge or LAN failures, thereby ensuring continuous communication and increased bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple network interfaces are used to connect host to LAN for redundancy, then reliability is improved, but the number of IP addresses increases making management difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple network interfaces and their associated IP addresses into a single virtual network interface with one IP address. The link aggregation group presents a unified interface to the host, combining the functionality of multiple physical interfaces while maintaining a single point of management and a single IP address for communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a link aggregation controller as an intermediary layer between the host's network interface and the multiple physical LAN connections. This controller manages the multiple IP addresses and routing decisions transparently, allowing the host to use a single IP address while the controller handles the complexity of multiple underlying connections.
2Ease of operation
If link aggregation is used to reduce IP addresses, then ease of operation is improved, but existing protocols do not support multi-bridge configurations limiting redundancy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal link aggregation mechanism that works across multiple bridge devices and different LAN types. The link aggregation group can span across multiple bridges and LAN segments, making the solution universally applicable to various network topologies while maintaining single IP address management and providing multi-bridge redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends link aggregation from a single-bridge, single-LAN model to a multi-bridge, multi-LAN dimension. By allowing link aggregation groups to span multiple bridges and LAN segments, the invention adds dimensional complexity to the network topology while maintaining the simplicity of single IP address management at the host level.
3Reliability
If redundant physical connections are provided through multiple bridges, then reliability is improved, but bandwidth is not increased and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple physical connections through different bridges into a single logical link aggregation group. This combination provides both redundancy (through multiple paths) and bandwidth aggregation (by combining capacities of multiple links) while presenting a unified, simple configuration to the host with single IP address management.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for multi-bridge LAN aggregation is disclosed. The method includes aggregating a plurality of LANs coupling a host to a first and a second intermediate network device. The system includes an intermediate network device. The intermediate network device includes a multi-bridge engine. The multi-bridge engine includes a tunnel engine coupled to a bridge interconnect port and a first physical port.