ODUflex Frame Transport via Ethernet Switching Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication networks face challenges in transporting ODUflex frames using Ethernet switching units, leading to service congestion and poor transmission quality due to the inability to efficiently process higher-order ODU services.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system comprising a first ODU service processing unit, timeslot allocation unit, switching output port allocation unit, Ethernet switching unit, and second ODU service processing unit, which maps output ports to timeslots and uses an allocation forwarding command to ensure seamless forwarding of higher-order ODU services, thereby enabling the transportation of ODUflex frames over Ethernet switching units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If Ethernet switching unit is used to transport ODUflex frames, then compatibility with Ethernet switching network is improved, but service congestion occurs on forwarding port leading to poor transmission quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ODU service processing by separating the service processing function from the Ethernet frame switching function. The service processing unit handles ODU service identification and routing, while the Ethernet switching unit handles frame forwarding based on source and destination MAC addresses. This segmentation allows the Ethernet switching unit to operate at line rate without being bottlenecked by complex ODU service processing, thus preventing service congestion while maintaining Ethernet network compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the service processing unit acts as a mediator between the Ethernet switching unit and the ODU service. The service processing unit receives Ethernet frames, identifies the ODU service type, determines the forwarding port, and then passes the frame to the Ethernet switching unit for rapid forwarding. This intermediary approach allows complex service processing to be decoupled from high-speed switching, preventing congestion while maintaining compatibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex service classification is performed to transport time division multiplexing service, then service transport capability is improved, but processing efficiency of switching device deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the switching device into two functional segments: a service processing unit that performs complex service classification and routing decisions, and an Ethernet switching unit that performs rapid frame forwarding based on simple MAC address lookup. This segmentation allows complex service classification to be performed only when necessary, while the majority of frame forwarding operations benefit from simple, high-speed switching, thus improving overall processing efficiency while maintaining service transport capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The service processing unit performs preliminary action by pre-determining the forwarding port for each ODU service based on service classification. Once the forwarding port is determined, the Ethernet switching unit can rapidly forward frames without repeating the complex classification process. This preliminary classification approach ensures that complex service transport capabilities are maintained while avoiding repeated processing overhead, thus improving processing efficiency.
Data Source
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Figure 3
Figure 4(a)~4(d)
AI summary
The present invention relates to the field of communications transmission, and in particular, discloses an apparatus and a method for transporting an ODU service. The transport apparatus includes a first ODU service processing unit, a timeslot allocation unit, a switching output port allocation unit, an Ethernet switching unit, and a second ODU service processing unit, where a table of a mapping between output ports of the first ODU service processing unit and timeslots is determined according to a rate of an ODUflex frame carried in an obtained ODU service and the number of the output ports of the first ODU service processing unit, and the ODU service is forwarded, which resolves a problem in the prior art that an ODUflex frame cannot be transported by using the Ethernet switching unit, thereby ensuring that service congestion does not occur on a forwarding port of a sending apparatus, and improving transmission quality of a communications network.