Network Control System Cluster Hierarchical Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network control systems face challenges in efficiently switching between centralized and distributed control methods, leading to increased processing costs and unnecessary link establishment when transitioning between control methods, particularly in large-scale networks.
Innovation Solution
A network control system that utilizes link design and configuration switching mechanisms based on a cluster hierarchical structure, enabling or disabling specific links to adapt the network configuration according to the control method, with link design decisions made based on connection weights and complexity, allowing for efficient switching between centralized and distributed control configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If clustering is performed for each distributed control unit to enable distributed control, then network configuration adapts to distributed control method, but processing costs increase when switching to centralized control due to required link establishment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-establishes a hierarchical cluster structure where distributed control units are organized into clusters with designated master nodes before switching is needed. This preliminary clustering allows rapid switching between centralized and distributed control modes by simply changing which nodes are active, without requiring dynamic link establishment or reconfiguration during the switch.
Solution Approach 2:
The network is segmented into multiple clusters with clear boundaries and hierarchical relationships. Each cluster can operate independently in distributed mode while maintaining connections to a central coordination node. This segmentation enables flexible switching by activating or deactivating specific cluster connections rather than reconfiguring the entire network topology.
2Ease of operation
If centralized control is performed for a network, then the network needs to be composed of one cluster, but in distributed control, clustering is performed for each distributed control unit which may incur costs for unnecessary links
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic cluster hierarchy where the activation state of links and nodes changes based on the control mode. In distributed control, only local cluster links are active while inter-cluster links remain inactive. When switching to centralized control, the system dynamically activates the necessary inter-cluster links and designates a central coordinator node, avoiding the need to maintain all possible links in an active state at all times.
3Reliability
If the number of distributed control units increases, then distributed control coverage improves, but the number of clusters becomes too large requiring processing costs to establish links for connecting clusters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested hierarchical structure where small clusters are nested within larger regional groups, which are in turn nested within the overall network. This multi-level nesting allows the system to scale to many distributed control units without requiring direct connections between all clusters. Instead, clusters connect to their regional group masters, which connect to the central coordinator, reducing the number of direct links needed while maintaining comprehensive coverage and efficient switching capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A network control system includes link design unit for deciding, as a configuration of one network formed by connecting a plurality of nodes having a communication function, a configuration of distributed networks included in the network and specific links for forming the network by connecting the distributed networks; and network configuration switching unit for switching the configuration of the network by logically enabling or disabling the specific links on request at least in a state where links other than the specific links are enabled, in which the link design unit decides the configuration of the distributed networks and the specific links based on a cluster hierarchical structure corresponding to a formation process of the one network which is formed as a result of sequentially adding links, which connect the nodes, based on a connection weight decided in accordance with a degree of spread or complexity of the network after connection.