Graceful Network Resource Shutdown via Traffic Rerouting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanisms for shutting down network resources in computer networks do not facilitate a graceful shutdown, leading to network disruptions and loss of in-transit data, particularly affecting connection-oriented protocols and failing to address the issue of rerouting traffic effectively.
Innovation Solution
A technique that involves advertising the shutdown of resources, waiting for a predetermined condition to occur, and then shutting down the resource, allowing for rerouting of traffic and establishing alternative connections to minimize disruptions, applicable to both connectionless and connection-oriented networking environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If network resources are shut down immediately without advertising shutdown status, then shutdown speed is improved, but network stability deteriorates due to disruptions and data loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the network node advertise its shutdown status to neighboring nodes before actually shutting down the resource. This allows the network to prepare alternative routing paths in advance, ensuring that when the shutdown occurs, traffic can be seamlessly rerouted without disruption or data loss.
2Reliability
If network resources are shut down with traffic rerouting capability, then network stability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional advertising and waiting mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by utilizing existing routing protocol mechanisms (advertisement messages) for the shutdown process. Instead of creating a separate complex shutdown system, the invention reuses the same advertising infrastructure already present in routing protocols, thereby achieving graceful shutdown without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Reliability
If the node waits for a predetermined condition before shutting down, then network stability is improved through seamless rerouting, but shutdown time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the node advertise shutdown status immediately upon initiating the shutdown process, rather than waiting for traffic to naturally clear or for complex conditions to resolve. This allows neighboring nodes to prepare alternative paths in advance, reducing the actual shutdown time while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies feedback by implementing a waiting period where the node monitors network conditions and only shuts down when it confirms that traffic has been successfully rerouted or that no active connections depend on the resource. This feedback mechanism ensures stable shutdown while minimizing unnecessary delays.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique gracefully shuts down network resources, such as nodes, interfaces and protocols, in a data network in a manner that minimizes network disruption. The technique may be used with both connectionless and connection-oriented networking systems. A node gracefully shuts down a network resource associated with the node by i) notifying other nodes in the network that the resource is being gracefully shutdown, ii) waiting for a condition to occur, and iii) when the condition occurs, shutting down the resource. The condition may include the expiration of a predetermined amount of time and/or monitoring the resource to determine if the resource has reached a certain level of activity. In response to receiving a notification that a resource is being gracefully shutdown, a node takes action to reroute traffic around the resource. If no alternative route is available, the node may continue to route traffic to the resource until it is shut down.