Non-overlapping Ring-Mesh Network Topology for Resilient Low-Link Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network topologies face challenges in reducing costs while maintaining resiliency and meeting Quality of Service (QoS) requirements, particularly in terms of network delay and the number of network links.
Innovation Solution
A non-overlapping ring-mesh network topology is implemented, where a set of target nodes are connected to form a plurality of non-overlapping rings, reducing the number of network links and providing resiliency through route diversity and high connectivity, with the ring count determined by performance metrics such as average hop count and customer service level agreements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mesh topology is used to provide resiliency and multiple paths, then reliability is improved, but the number of network links increases causing higher cost
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into multiple non-overlapping rings, where each ring provides independent failure paths. This segmentation allows the network to achieve mesh-like resiliency through ring structures rather than requiring a complete mesh of all nodes, thereby reducing the total number of links while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional mesh layouts to a multi-dimensional ring structure where nodes are organized in concentric or hierarchical rings. This dimensional reorganization allows multiple failure paths to exist through different ring levels without requiring every node to connect to every other node, reducing link count while preserving resiliency.
2Quantity of substance
If a ring topology is used to reduce the number of links, then cost is reduced, but resiliency to failure is insufficient compared to mesh topology
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple ring topologies into a hierarchical ring-of-rings structure. Individual rings provide local resiliency, while the interconnection of rings provides global resiliency. This combination achieves mesh-like failure tolerance without requiring the dense link structure of a full mesh topology.
Solution Approach 2:
The network is structured as nested rings where smaller rings are contained within or connected to larger rings. This nesting allows traffic to traverse multiple ring levels, providing multiple paths around failures at any ring level, thereby enhancing resiliency beyond what a single ring could provide while maintaining cost efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If more network links are added to improve connectivity, then QoS requirements are met, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the network are assigned different ring densities and connectivity levels based on local QoS requirements. High-priority traffic areas receive enhanced connectivity within their local ring structure, while lower-priority areas use standard ring configurations. This localized optimization meets QoS requirements without uniformly increasing link count across the entire network.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring topology allows dynamic routing where traffic can adaptively select paths through different rings based on current network conditions and QoS requirements. This dynamic path selection provides high connectivity and adaptability without requiring static full-mesh link configurations, as routes can be rerouted through alternative rings when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments provide a method and apparatus of providing a non-overlapping ring-mesh network topology which reduces costs (e.g., the number of network links) while providing resiliency to failure and meeting QoS requirements (e.g., network delay attributed to traversing the network architecture). In particular, a set of target nodes belonging to a cluster are connected through N rings. Each node is member of all N rings and no link between nodes in a ring is duplicated in another ring.