Network Device Dynamic Address Translation Tables
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current computer network systems face scalability limitations due to the broadcast mechanism, particularly in VLAN environments, where the number of possible VLANs is restricted by the IEEE VLAN standard, limiting the number of end nodes that can be supported effectively.
Innovation Solution
A computer network system employing dynamic updates through translation tables in network devices, where information packets are translated using address indicators, allowing for dynamic updates and efficient forwarding of packets within the network, even across multiple logical LANs, by modifying existing messages like ARP packets to update correspondence between addresses and indicators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If broadcast mechanism is used for packet distribution, then all end nodes can receive packets, but network scalability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into multiple virtual LANs (VLANs) using VLAN tags to identify different logical networks. This segmentation allows packets to be selectively forwarded to specific VLAN groups rather than broadcasting to all nodes, thereby improving scalability while maintaining organized network structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a translation table as an intermediary mechanism that maps destination addresses to VLAN tags. This translation table acts as a mediator between the packet forwarding process and VLAN segmentation, enabling efficient packet routing without requiring broadcast mechanisms, thus enhancing network scalability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If VLAN tag length is limited to 12 bits per IEEE standard, then standard compliance is maintained, but number of possible VLANs is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds multiple levels of identification within the packet structure. The outer layer uses standard 12-bit VLAN tags for VLAN identification, while additional address information is nested within the packet payload or header. This nested structure allows the system to maintain compliance with IEEE VLAN standards while effectively supporting a larger number of logical LANs through hierarchical addressing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds an additional dimension to VLAN identification by incorporating destination address information alongside VLAN tags. Instead of relying solely on the limited 12-bit VLAN tag, the system uses a combination of VLAN tag and address information to uniquely identify destinations across multiple VLANs, effectively expanding the addressing space without violating standard constraints.
3Productivity
If translation tables are used for address translation, then packet forwarding efficiency is improved, but memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements translation tables with selective entry creation. Rather than pre-populating translation tables with all possible address mappings, the system dynamically creates translation entries only when needed based on actual packet traffic patterns. This partial action approach maintains high forwarding efficiency for commonly accessed addresses while minimizing memory consumption for rarely used mappings.
Solution Approach 2:
The translation tables are designed to be dynamic rather than static, allowing entries to be automatically created, updated, and removed based on real-time network traffic. This dynamic behavior enables the system to adapt to changing network conditions and optimize memory usage by maintaining only currently relevant address translations, thereby balancing forwarding efficiency with memory requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer network system for interconnecting nodes using dynamic updates includes a first network device configured to receive an information packet including a destination address for a source node. The first network device includes a first translation table for use in translating the destination address into an address indicator to replace the destination address in the information packet. The computer network system includes a second network device configured to receive the information packet, and to include a second translation table for use in translating the address indicator into the destination address. At least one of the first and second network devices are adapted to dynamically update at least one of first and second translation tables using updated information transferred using the computer network system.