Network Proxy Rerouting for Optical Virtual Topology Failures
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Networks with changing topologies face challenges in maintaining continuous connections due to node additions and removals, leading to frequent reconfiguration of packet routes, which can result in network connection losses and disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that establish an alternate pathway by designating a second network element as a proxy for a disconnected first network element, using a virtual network operating on an optical network to reroute data through a signaling control network, ensuring continuous communication between the application server and the disconnected network element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the network frequently reconfigures packet routes to adapt to changing topology, then the network adaptability is improved, but the network stability and connection continuity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes multiple potential pathways between network elements before failures occur. When a connection is lost, the alternate pathway can be activated immediately without requiring complex real-time reconfiguration, thus maintaining connection continuity while adapting to topology changes.
Solution Approach 2:
A proxy network element is introduced as an intermediary to maintain connections during topology changes. The proxy acts as a mediator that can forward packets between the original network element and the network, allowing the element to remain connected even when its direct connection is lost due to topology changes.
2Productivity
If the network maintains direct connections for all network elements, then the communication efficiency is improved, but the system complexity increases when handling connection losses
Solution Approach 1:
The proxy network element serves as an intermediary that simplifies the system architecture. Instead of implementing complex connection management logic in each network element, the proxy centralizes the complexity of handling connection losses and alternate pathways, making the overall system easier to manage while maintaining communication efficiency.
3Reliability
If alternate pathways are established for all network elements, then the network reliability is improved, but the network complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The proxy network element automatically detects connection losses and activates alternate pathways without requiring manual intervention or complex control logic. The system self-manages the complexity of maintaining reliability, reducing the burden on network operators and simplifying the overall network management.
Solution Approach 2:
The proxy acts as an intermediary that absorbs the complexity of managing alternate pathways. Rather than each network element needing to implement complex redundancy logic, the proxy centralizes this functionality, reducing overall network complexity while maintaining high reliability through established alternate routes.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for establishing an alternate pathway to an endpoint that may determine that a network connection is lost between a first network element and an application server. The method may select a second network element from a virtual network operating on an optical network. The second network element may include a network connection over the optical network to the application server, and a network connection to the first network element over the virtual network. The method may designate the second network element to act as a network proxy to the first network element. The first network element may use the second network element as the network proxy for receiving data over the virtual network. The method may receive data from the application server at the first network element using the second network element as the network proxy.