Multicast Trunking Hash-Based Port Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network devices face limitations in distributing multicast traffic across trunk groups due to restrictive masks, leading to inadequate bandwidth utilization and redundancy when transmitting broadcast or multicast packets.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a centralized ingress pipeline architecture with a trunk group table that uses hashing to dynamically select physical ports within a trunk, allowing for load sharing and efficient distribution of packets across multiple devices connected by trunks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional masks are used to select destination ports for multicast packets, then the network device can identify and forward packets, but the bandwidth utilization and redundancy are inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by replacing static masks with dynamic hashing algorithms that compute port selections based on packet characteristics. The hashing function dynamically determines which physical ports in a trunk group should receive multicast packets, enabling adaptive traffic distribution that optimizes bandwidth utilization and redundancy based on real-time network conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter used for port selection from fixed mask values to hash-based dynamic selections. By using hashing functions that process packet headers and trunk group identifiers, the system transforms the port selection process into a parameter-changing mechanism that adapts to different traffic patterns and network states, thereby improving both reliability and adaptability.
2Productivity
If multiple physical ports are combined into a trunk port to provide greater bandwidth, then connectivity between devices improves, but dynamic port selection becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the network device to automatically determine optimal port selections through hashing without external intervention. The system self-manages the complexity of dynamic port selection across trunk groups by using deterministic hash functions that consistently map packet characteristics to specific physical ports, thereby maintaining high bandwidth while managing complexity internally.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/port-based selection methods with computational hashing mechanisms. Instead of using complex control logic or manual configuration to manage port selection across multiple physical ports, the system substitutes these with efficient hash functions that mathematically determine port assignments, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining high productivity.
3Productivity
If dynamic port selection is implemented for load sharing, then traffic distribution improves, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-computing and storing hash function results or using hash tables that map packet characteristics to port selections in advance. This allows the system to quickly determine destination ports without performing complex hash calculations during packet processing, thereby achieving efficient load sharing while minimizing processing time through preparatory computations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes time-consuming dynamic selection algorithms with optimized hashing mechanisms that provide rapid port determination. By using efficient hash functions and potential lookup tables, the system replaces complex multi-step selection processes with single-step hash computations, maintaining high load sharing efficiency while significantly reducing packet processing time.
Data Source
AI summary
A network device for uniform distribution of non-unicast traffic, such as layer 2 broadcast, layer 2 multicast, unknown unicast and layer 3 multicast on a truch group. The network device includes at least one trunk group including a plurality of physical ports. The network device is connected to at least one other network device by a number of the plurality of physical ports. The network device also includes a table with a plurality of entries, wherein each entry is associated with the number of the plurality of physical ports on the network device. Each entry specifies if a packet should be transmitted on one of the plurality of physical ports. The network device further includes hashing means for hashing a predefined number of bits from predefined fields in the packet to select one entry in the table. The selected entry is used to identify a destination port. The network device also includes transmitting means for transmitting the packet to the destination port.