Network Access Device Line Card Switching Logic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network access devices, such as DSLAMs, face disruptions due to line card failures, which can lead to significant communication service disruptions and require time-consuming diagnosis and repair, especially when multiple transceivers become inoperative.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a backup subscriber line configuration where primary and backup subscriber lines are interfaced with different line cards, allowing communication to be switched from a primary line to a backup line in case of failure, ensuring service continuity by isolating the failure to a specific line card.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If multiple transceivers are integrated on the same line card to reduce device complexity, then the device structure becomes more compact and easier to manage, but a single point of failure can cause simultaneous failure of multiple transceivers leading to significant communication service disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by distributing transceivers across multiple independent line cards rather than concentrating them on a single line card. This divides the system into separate functional units, where each line card operates independently. When one line card fails, only the transceivers on that specific card are affected, while transceivers on other line cards continue to function, thereby maintaining communication service continuity.
2Reliability
If backup subscriber lines are configured on separate line cards from primary lines, then service continuity is improved during line card failure, but the device complexity and configuration management become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring backup subscriber lines on different line cards before any failure occurs. This advance preparation ensures that when a line card failure happens, the system can immediately switch to the pre-positioned backup lines without requiring complex real-time decision-making or reconfiguration. The backup infrastructure is already in place and ready to activate, simplifying the failure response process.
Data Source
AI summary
A network access device comprises a first line card, a second line card, and logic. The first line card has a first transceiver coupled to a first subscriber line, and the second line card has a second transceiver coupled to a second subscriber line. The logic is configured to switch communication from the first subscriber line to the second subscriber line in response to a detection of an error condition for communication occurring over the first subscriber line.