Network Element Link Selection for Fail-Safe Packet Forwarding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load-balancing technologies in network elements redistribute packet flows on functioning links when a link fails, leading to packet loss and session consistency issues due to the exclusion of unavailable links from the decision process.
Innovation Solution
A data transmission method that determines a first member link based on a first decision manner and, if it is unavailable, selects a second member link from a group including only available links, ensuring continuous packet forwarding and maintaining flow allocation consistency by using different CRC algorithms for each decision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If only available links are considered for load-balancing decision, then the chosen egress port is always available, but packet flows on functioning links are redistributed when a link fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary classification of links into member links (preferred) and non-member links (backup) before load-balancing decisions are made. When a link fails, the system has already prepared alternative member links as fallback options, avoiding the need to redistribute flows to non-member links and maintaining flow allocation consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the set of member links based on link availability status. When a link fails, the system updates the member link group to exclude the failed link and includes alternative member links, thereby changing the parameters of the load-balancing decision space while maintaining consistency for flows on functioning links.
2Stability of the object's composition
If all links including unavailable ones are included in load-balancing decision, then flow allocation remains consistent, but the selected egress port may be unavailable causing packet loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary availability checking of links before including them in the member link group for load-balancing decisions. This preliminary action ensures that only available links are considered, preventing packet loss while maintaining flow consistency through the member link mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors link availability status and provides feedback to the load-balancing decision process. When link availability changes, the feedback triggers an update of the member link group, ensuring that the selected egress port is always available while maintaining flow allocation consistency.
3Productivity
If a link fails and flows are redistributed to other links, then the failed link's load is balanced, but session consistency is broken and packet loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the link set into member links (with consistent flow allocation) and non-member links (for capacity balancing). This segmentation allows the system to maintain session consistency within the member link group while still achieving load distribution efficiency across the broader network infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the composition parameters of the member link group dynamically based on link failures. When a link fails, the member link group is updated to include alternative links, maintaining both session consistency for existing flows and load distribution efficiency through the updated group composition.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for data transmission includes receiving a packet, determining a first member link in a first group of member links based on a first decision manner. If the first member link is unavailable, the method includes determining a second member link in a second group of member links based on a second decision manner, where all member links in the second group of member links are available and the first group of member links includes the second group of member links and an unavailable member link. The method includes sending the packet through the second member link.