Network Cluster Direct Communication Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems in industrial and remote sites face instability due to low bandwidth connections, leading to issues with establishing and maintaining communication channels through remote data centers, especially for factory and construction workers.
Innovation Solution
A method within a network cluster that establishes direct communication channels between client devices and application adapters, bypassing central entry points and using peer-to-peer connections to reduce bandwidth requirements, with a service register maintaining availability information and updating it based on heartbeat signals and workload monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If communication channels are established through remote data centers, then centralized service management is achieved, but bandwidth requirements increase and communication stability deteriorates in low-bandwidth environments
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments communication paths into control plane (through central entry point) and data plane (direct peer-to-peer). The central entry point only manages service registration and discovery, while actual communication occurs directly between clients, separating management functions from data transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The central entry point acts as an intermediary only for service discovery and connection establishment. Once direct connections are formed between clients, the intermediary is no longer involved in data transmission, reducing its bandwidth burden
2Loss of energy
If direct communication channels are established between client devices, then bandwidth requirements are reduced, but service discovery and connection management become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The service register acts as an intermediary that simplifies service discovery. Clients publish their services to the service register, which maintains availability information. Other clients can discover services by querying the service register without needing complex peer-to-peer discovery protocols
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements heartbeat signals that provide continuous feedback about service availability. Services periodically send heartbeat signals to indicate they are operational, and the service register updates availability information based on these signals, enabling dynamic connection management
3Measurement precision
If heartbeat signals are continuously monitored, then service availability is accurately tracked, but network traffic and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
Heartbeat signals are sent periodically rather than continuously. The service register checks for heartbeat signals at predefined time intervals and updates availability information only when necessary, reducing network traffic while maintaining accurate availability tracking
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the state parameter of service availability based on heartbeat detection. When heartbeats are received, availability is marked as active; when heartbeats are missed beyond a threshold, availability is updated to inactive, enabling efficient state-based management
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method of communication within a first network cluster, comprising a first central entry point, a first service register, a first application adapter for a first application software and a first device interface for a first client device. The method comprises to detect a first availability of the first application software via the first application adapter, to store the first availability of the first application software within the first service register, thereby forming contents of the first service register, to detect a first heartbeat signal of the first application adapter, to update the first availability of the first application software within the first service register if no first heartbeat signal has been detected for a first pre-defined time span, to distribute contents of the first service register to the first client device via the first device interface and to establish a first direct communication channel between the first application adapter and the first client device, wherein communication between the first client device and the first application adapter is guided through the first direct communication channel.