Network Self-Partitioning for Address Conflict Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing routing protocols face challenges in ensuring unique network device addresses, particularly in applications where manual address assignment is preferred and automatic assignment can lead to unstable network states due to potential address conflicts, especially during network merges or changes.
Innovation Solution
A method of self-partitioning the network to identify and resolve address conflicts by maintaining an identification table of address and identifier pairs, automatically partitioning the network when conflicts are detected, and assigning a unique address to conflicting devices, allowing manual intervention for address assignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automated address assignment is used to ensure unique addresses, then address uniqueness is improved, but network stability deteriorates due to address conflicts and reassignments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary address conflict detection before automated reassignment by comparing received addresses against the identification table. This preliminary check allows the system to identify potential conflicts and trigger manual intervention procedures before automated reassignment occurs, thereby maintaining network stability while still ensuring address uniqueness.
2Ease of operation
If manual address assignment is preferred for user control, then ease of operation is improved, but address conflict detection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the identification table continuously tracks assigned addresses and their corresponding identifiers. When a device advertises an address, the system checks it against the table and provides feedback about conflicts. This feedback loop enables effective conflict detection even when manual address assignment is used, as the system can still monitor and identify duplicate addresses.
3Productivity
If networks are merged to consolidate resources, then productivity is improved, but network stability deteriorates due to temporary inoperable states during address conflict resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary identification table that acts as a mediator between merged networks. The table stores address-identifier mappings and enables conflict detection across network boundaries. When networks are merged, the identification table continues to function as an intermediary layer that detects and manages address conflicts, preventing temporary inoperable states and maintaining stability during consolidation.
4Loss of substance
If shorter addresses are used as aliases to minimize packet overhead, then loss of substance is improved, but address uniqueness guarantee deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the identification table to self-maintain address-identifier mappings and automatically detect when shorter alias addresses conflict with existing entries. The system performs self-checks during address advertisement, comparing aliases against the table contents. This self-service mechanism ensures that even shorter addresses maintain uniqueness guarantees while minimizing packet overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, devices and computer program products for self partitioning a data network are provided. A network device that is using an address of another network device is identified, the network is automatically partitioned to eliminate the potential conflict, and address conflict resolution is initiated. Partitioning the network may include closing a port over which the routing packet was received from the network device that advertised the conflict, or may include closing the logical connection to that network device. A routing database may be cleared of information previously received from the network device that advertised the conflict so that no routes exist through that device any more. Conflict resolution may include assigning a different address to the network device identified as having a conflicting address, and then allowing the identified network device to communicate with other network devices using the newly assigned address.