Network Topology Management via Switch Group Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network management strategies lack an efficient method to determine optimal forwarding strategies for complex network topologies, leading to suboptimal performance and slow re-convergence during topology changes.
Innovation Solution
A network controller divides the physical topology into switch subgroups, determines abstracted switch groups, selects a base topology for each subgroup, configures forwarding strategies, and monitors for topology changes such as link failures or new devices, using techniques like virtual link trunks and spanning trees to improve re-convergence and resiliency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single network management strategy is applied to the entire network, then implementation is simple, but performance is suboptimal for complex topologies
Solution Approach 1:
The network is divided into multiple bridge groups, each managed by a separate bridge group manager. This segmentation allows different management strategies to be applied to different groups based on their specific topology characteristics, improving overall network performance while maintaining manageable complexity through modular organization.
2Device complexity
If network topology is highly abstracted to simplify management, then complexity is reduced, but re-convergence speed during topology changes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the level of abstraction and management granularity based on topology changes. When changes occur, the bridge group managers can transition between different management modes, allowing the system to maintain simplicity during stable operation while enabling faster response and re-convergence when topology changes are detected.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for network topology management includes a network controller having a control unit one or more ports coupled to the control unit and configured to couple the network controller to a plurality of switches in a network, and a memory coupled to the control unit and configured to store a topology of the switches. The topology includes a plurality of switch groups. The network controller is configured to assign a topology management module to each of the switch groups, receive a message from a switch indicating a topology change, determine when the topology change is a network link failure between switches within a first switch group that the network link failure is internal to the first switch group, and handle the network link failure when the network link failure is internal to the first switch group using the topology management module assigned to the first switch group.