OLT DHCP Relay Handling for Power-Cycle Message Floods

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Solution Overview

Problem

The dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) messaging during power cycling events leads to a flood of communications, consuming substantial computing resources and impacting performance and functionality of client devices and DHCP servers.

Innovation Solution

An optical line terminal (OLT) device identifies client devices and determines their identifiers, obtaining IP addresses from a DHCP device without simultaneous communication with clients, reducing the flood of DHCP messaging by storing and managing IP addresses internally.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If DHCP messaging is performed during power cycling events, then client devices can obtain IP addresses and access the network, but a flood of communications consumes substantial computing resources and impacts performance

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIP address allocation speedVSAvoidcomputing resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The OLT device performs preliminary identification of client devices and determination of their identifiers before DHCP messaging occurs. By having this information ready in advance, the system reduces the computational burden during actual DHCP operations, especially during power cycling events when multiple devices may simultaneously request IP addresses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the OLT device acts as a bridge between client devices and the DHCP server. The OLT device identifies client devices and determines their identifiers, then communicates with the DHCP server on their behalf. This intermediary role reduces the direct communication overhead between client devices and the DHCP server, thereby reducing computing resource consumption during DHCP messaging floods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If simultaneous DHCP messaging occurs with multiple client devices, then all devices can receive IP addresses, but the flood of messaging impacts performance and functionality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconcurrent device supportVSAvoidsystem performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the DHCP messaging process into distinct phases: first, the OLT device identifies client devices and determines their identifiers; second, the OLT device communicates with the DHCP server to obtain IP addresses. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple client devices concurrently while maintaining performance, as the identification and DHCP messaging phases can be managed separately and efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12542758B1Optimized dynamic host configuration protocol communication for an optical line terminal device

Publication Date: 2026.02.03 JUNIPER NETWORKS INC

AI summary

In some implementations, an optical line terminal (OLT) device may identify one or more client devices that are connected to the OLT device via one or more communication links. The OLT device may determine, based on identifying the one or more client devices, one or more identifiers associated with the one or more client devices. The OLT device may communicate, based on determining the one or more identifiers associated with the one or more client devices, with a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) relay device to obtain one or more Internet protocol (IP) addresses associated with the one or more client devices.