Packet Switch Tunnel Redundancy via Cross-Switch Termination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional Ethernet network tunnel configurations, where primary and backup tunnels terminate on the same packet switch, lack redundancy as both tunnels are affected by failures or outages at that switch, leading to potential packet loss and network instability.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where primary and backup tunnels terminate on different packet switches, allowing only one to be active at a time, with the inactive tunnel restricted to forwarding only control packets, enabling continuous monitoring and redundancy by switching between them upon failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If primary and backup tunnels terminate on the same packet switch, then tunnel configuration is simplified, but network redundancy is compromised as both tunnels are affected by failures at that switch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tunnel termination points by having the primary tunnel terminate on one packet switch and the backup tunnel terminate on a different packet switch. This segmentation ensures that failures at one switch do not affect both tunnels simultaneously, thereby improving network redundancy while maintaining manageable configuration complexity through standardized tunnel setup procedures.
2Reliability
If backup tunnels traverse physically different paths than primary tunnel, then failure isolation is improved, but packet forwarding complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic tunnel activation where the backup tunnel is automatically activated only when the primary tunnel fails. The inactive backup tunnel restricts packet forwarding to control packets only, while data packets are forwarded through the active primary tunnel. This dynamic behavior provides failure isolation through physically different paths without continuously complicating packet forwarding operations.
3Productivity
If only one tunnel is active at a time, then resource utilization is optimized, but packet loss may occur during tunnel switching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring backup tunnels with appropriate routing information and maintaining them in a ready state. When primary tunnel failure occurs, the backup tunnel can be activated quickly without requiring extensive reconfiguration. The inactive backup tunnel monitors control packets to detect failures, enabling rapid switchover that minimizes packet loss while maintaining efficient resource utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
Packet switch operating methods and packet switches forward a first packet to a first packet switch via an active primary tunnel terminating on the first packet switch. The primary tunnel is associated with an inactive backup tunnel terminating on a different second packet switch. The methods and packet switches also deactivate the primary tunnel, activate the backup tunnel, and forward a second packet to the second packet switch via the activated backup tunnel. Network operating methods relay a first packet to a first one of a plurality of destination packet switches via two or more different tunnels in a first combination. The methods and packets switches also deactivate one of the tunnels of the first combination without deactivating any other tunnel of the first combination and relay a second packet to a second one of the packet switches via two or more different tunnels in a second combination.