Novel Packet Encoding for Physical Layer Topology Construction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional network devices operating at the physical layer cannot identify higher layer network protocols or construct network topologies, limiting their ability to support advanced networking scenarios such as data centers and Internet of Things (IoT) applications.
Innovation Solution
A novel packet structure incorporating port indication information and data blocks allows network devices at the physical layer to identify and parse packets without relying on layer 2 or layer 3 protocols, enabling network topology construction and management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If network devices operate at the physical layer, then device complexity and power consumption are reduced, but the ability to identify protocols and construct network topologies is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary component that operates at higher layers (layer 3 or above) while network devices operate at the physical layer. The controller receives physical layer signals, constructs network topologies, and manages protocol-related functions, thereby enabling physical layer devices to participate in network topology construction without requiring protocol identification capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides network management functions into separate segments: physical layer devices handle only physical signal transmission, while the controller handles topology construction and protocol management. This segmentation allows each component to operate at its optimal layer, reducing complexity at the physical layer while maintaining overall system capability.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If network devices operate at the physical layer, then power consumption is reduced, but the ability to parse BPDUs and perform topology construction is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves as an intermediary that performs energy-intensive operations (PDUs parsing, topology construction, protocol management) centrally, while physical layer devices consume minimal power for signal transmission only. This resolves the contradiction by centralizing productive functions away from power-constrained physical layer devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional STP and BPDU protocols are used, then network topology construction is achieved at the data link layer, but physical layer devices cannot participate
Solution Approach 1:
The controller acts as an intermediary that translates physical layer signals into protocol-aware decisions. It receives physical layer information, constructs appropriate BPDUs, and manages STP operations, allowing physical layer devices to participate in topology construction without requiring them to understand or process complex protocol messages.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring physical layer devices to natively process BPDUs, the system creates virtual copies of protocol processing functions that run on the controller. The controller generates and processes BPDU messages as if they were native, while physical layer devices simply transmit the underlying physical signals, effectively copying protocol intelligence away from physical layer devices.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a network topology generation method and apparatus, and belongs to the field of network technologies. This application provides a novel packet encoding structure. Data in a packet is encoded in a unit of a block based on corresponding destination ports, and a destination port of each data block is indicated by using port indication information. Based on such a novel packet encoding structure, a network device can find a control data block from the packet based on the port indication information in the packet, and obtain a device information sending instruction in the control data block, so as to report device information to central equipment. Therefore, the network device can successfully receive the device information sending instruction of the central equipment without identifying a layer 2 protocol and a layer 3 protocol and without parsing a MAC address and an IP address. This overcomes a severe limitation that the network device can perform topology construction only when the network device supports the layer 2 protocol and/or the layer 3 protocol, and can be applied to a scenario in which topology construction is performed for a device at a physical layer. In this way, an application scope is greatly extended.