Network Relay Device Partial Failure Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network relay devices face issues with unintentional interruption of data communication due to partial or total failures in the master switch, leading to double-master states and control loops, which disrupt network operations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a network relay device with a control module that receives and sends control messages to switch between master and backup operating statuses, allowing for accurate identification of failure types and preventing immediate switchover in case of partial failures, thereby avoiding double-master states and ensuring continuous data communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the Backup switch immediately switches over its operating status from Backup to Master in response to detection of failure on the direct link, then the network can quickly restore data communication, but this causes a double-master state and control loop in the network
Solution Approach 1:
The Backup switch performs preliminary verification by receiving failure occurrence messages from all downstream switches before switching to Master status. This preliminary action prevents premature switchover and avoids the double-master state while still enabling quick restoration once verification is complete.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the Backup switch monitors failure occurrence messages from downstream switches to verify the failure state before switching. This feedback loop ensures accurate identification of failure types and prevents incorrect switchover decisions.
2Reliability
If the Backup switch keeps the Backup operating status and waits for verification of total failure, then the network avoids double-master states, but this may delay the restoration of data communication
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification by collecting failure occurrence messages from all downstream switches before confirming total failure. This preliminary action ensures accurate identification of failure types, preventing premature switchover while enabling quick restoration once verification is complete.
Solution Approach 2:
The Backup switch continuously monitors for failure occurrence messages from downstream switches during the verification period. This continuous monitoring ensures that once total failure is confirmed, the switchover can occur immediately without additional delays.
3Reliability
If the network uses redundancy with Master and Backup switches to prevent unintentional stop of functions, then the network reliability is improved, but the complexity of controlling the switch-over between Master and Backup increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control logic is segmented into distinct functions: failure detection on direct link, message reception from downstream switches, verification of total failure, and switchover execution. This segmentation simplifies the control complexity by breaking down the complex switchover process into manageable, independent steps.
Solution Approach 2:
Downstream switches autonomously detect failures and send failure occurrence messages to the Backup switch without requiring manual intervention. The Backup switch automatically processes these messages and performs verification, eliminating the need for complex manual control procedures.
4Speed
If the Backup switch switches over to Master status upon detecting direct link failure, then quick restoration is achieved, but this causes unintentional interruption of data communication when the failure is only partial
Solution Approach 1:
The Backup switch receives feedback in the form of failure occurrence messages from all downstream switches before switching to Master status. This feedback mechanism enables accurate identification of whether the failure is total or partial, preventing incorrect switchover decisions that would interrupt communication unnecessarily.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary verification by collecting and processing failure occurrence messages from all downstream switches before executing the switchover. This preliminary action ensures that the switchover only occurs when total failure is confirmed, maintaining communication continuity while enabling quick restoration.
Data Source
AI summary
In the case of detection of failure on a direct link interconnecting Master and Backup upstream switches, a control module of the Master upstream switch sends a partial failure message representing the occurrence of partial failure in the Master upstream switch via any of multiple lines connected to multiple ports of the Master upstream switch to the Backup upstream switch. Upon reception of the partial failure message from the Master upstream switch, a control module of the Backup upstream switch identifies partial failure occurring in the Master upstream switch and keeps the Backup operating status of the Backup upstream switch. Upon no reception of the partial failure message from the Master upstream switch, on the other hand, the control module of the Backup upstream switch identifies total failure occurring in the Master upstream switch and switches over the operating status of the Backup upstream switch from Backup to Master. In the event of failure occurring in the Master upstream switch, this arrangement effectively prevents unintentional interruption of data communication but ensures normal data communication in a network without causing the double-master state and the control loop in the network.