Multicast Reservation Simulation via Control-Data Plane Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial automation systems face issues with interruptions and inefficient transmission of multicast data streams due to contention for network resources, leading to potential production shutdowns, especially in Ethernet-based communications networks with real-time requirements, where product-specific or hardware-specific parameters are not easily accounted for in resource reservation processes.
Innovation Solution
A simulation system and method that divides communications devices into a control plane and a data plane, allowing for the simulation of multicast data stream reservation enquiries without requiring extensive disclosure of product-specific or hardware-specific parameters, using software containers based on control plane firmware to verify resource availability and adherence to quality of service parameters within a predefined topology.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bandwidth reservation is implemented for multicast data streams in Ethernet-based communications networks, then quality of service for real-time data transmission is improved, but network resource utilization efficiency deteriorates due to compulsory transmission pauses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary bandwidth reservation through reservation enquiry messages sent before actual data transmission. The network infrastructure device allocates reserved bandwidth in advance based on requested parameters, allowing real-time data streams to transmit without compulsory pauses while maintaining quality of service through pre-configured resource allocation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic bandwidth allocation where the reserved bandwidth is not fixed but can be adjusted based on actual network conditions and requirements. The reservation enquiry mechanism allows flexible allocation of bandwidth resources, enabling the system to adapt to varying traffic patterns while maintaining quality of service for real-time applications
2Reliability
If Credit-Based Shapers are used to monitor bandwidth and ensure reserved bandwidth availability, then quality of service is maintained, but transmission interruptions occur for control data frames
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network traffic into different types (real-time data frames versus control data frames) and applies different handling mechanisms. Real-time data streams benefit from reserved bandwidth monitoring, while control data frames are exempted from compulsory transmission pauses, allowing simultaneous quality of service maintenance and uninterrupted control communication
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the bandwidth monitoring process that distinguishes between different frame types. The monitoring system acts as an intermediary that allows control data frames to bypass the compulsory pause requirement while still maintaining overall bandwidth reservation integrity for real-time applications
3Measurement precision
If product-specific or hardware-specific parameters are disclosed for resource reservation verification, then simulation accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to extensive parameter disclosure requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses abstraction to create a simplified model of the network infrastructure device for simulation purposes. Instead of requiring actual product-specific parameters, the system uses a standardized interface that captures essential resource reservation behavior. This copying approach maintains simulation accuracy while eliminating the need for extensive parameter disclosure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal reservation enquiry mechanism that works across different network infrastructure devices without requiring device-specific parameters. The standardized interface allows the same simulation approach to be applied to various hardware platforms, maintaining ease of operation while achieving sufficient simulation accuracy for resource reservation verification
Data Source
AI summary
Simulation system and method for simulating processing of reservation enquiries for multicast data streams in communications networks, wherein communication devices which are to be simulated with regard to their behaviour are functionally divided into a communication control plane designated as a control plane and into a data transmission plane designated as a data plane, where simulation system components formed by software containers which are executable in a sequence control environment are case provided for functions of the communication devices associated with the control plane, network infrastructure devices are modelled on the data plane by resources provided via each of the network infrastructure devices, and where the software containers associated with the communication devices are selectively executed in the sequence control environment and coupled together there according to a predetermined topology.