Network Interface Device Virtual Circuit Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern communication networks face challenges in providing cost-effective network resiliency and efficient diagnosis, as the complexity and size of these networks lead to performance degradation and increased costs due to the need for redundant connections, which are expensive for both service providers and customers.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of network interface devices (NIDs) that utilize Ethernet Virtual Circuits (EVCs) with VLAN tagging and Media Access Control (MAC) address switching to replicate data traffic and provide protected virtual circuits, allowing for independent switching of traffic streams and monitoring, thereby reducing the need for duplicate transport connections and enhancing network management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two transport connections are provided to carry circuits on diverse elements and transport throughout the network, then network resiliency is improved, but cost increases for both service provider and customer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the circuit path using VLAN tagging. Instead of providing two physical transport connections, the system replicates the circuit signal at the network interface device using VLAN tags to create separate virtual paths. This virtual copying provides resiliency without requiring duplicate physical infrastructure, thereby reducing cost while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The network interface device acts as an intermediary that implements virtual circuit protection through VLAN tagging. This intermediary device creates the appearance of diverse transport paths by tagging traffic with different VLAN identifiers, enabling protection without requiring actual separate physical connections throughout the network.
2Reliability
If network equipment constraints are addressed to improve network performance, then service quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the virtual circuit into multiple tagged instances at the network interface device. By dividing the circuit protection function into separate VLAN-tagged streams, the system achieves enhanced network performance and reliability without requiring complex changes to the overall network equipment architecture. Each tagged stream can be independently monitored and managed.
Solution Approach 2:
The network interface device is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it handles standard circuit switching while simultaneously implementing VLAN tagging for virtual circuit protection and traffic validation. This multi-functionality allows the same device to provide both traditional services and advanced protection capabilities without adding separate specialized equipment.
3Extent of automation
If traffic validation and monitoring are implemented, then network management capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service network management through automatic traffic validation and monitoring at the network interface device. The device automatically validates incoming traffic against the virtual circuit configuration and monitors for anomalies without requiring manual intervention. This automation improves network management capability while maintaining ease of operation through transparent, background execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the network interface device continuously monitors traffic on virtual circuits and provides validation feedback. This automated feedback loop enables improved network management by detecting and reporting traffic anomalies without increasing operational complexity for users, as the monitoring occurs transparently in the background.
Data Source
AI summary
An approach provides virtual circuit protection. Traffic is received at a network interface device configured to interface an Ethernet virtual circuit of a service provider transport network over a user network interface (UNI). The network interface device is configured as a demarcation point between a customer network and the service provider transport network. Circuit replication is performed over the virtual circuit to create a plurality of communication paths over the virtual circuit by assigning respective tags for independently switching the traffic over the communication paths. One of the communication paths is designated as a standby communication path.