PIM Designated Device Election Using Interface Performance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Protocol Independent Multicast (PIM) designated networking device election systems do not consider interface performance properties, leading to inefficient bandwidth utilization and potential data traffic dropping due to high bandwidth usage on links between designated and edge devices.
Innovation Solution
An Information Handling System (IHS) that includes a communication subsystem and a processing system with a forwarding engine, which receives PIM messages indicating support for designated networking device election based on interface performance properties, determines whether the second networking device's interface performance properties satisfy a condition, and forwards data traffic to the edge device if the first device's properties do not, thereby optimizing bandwidth utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the designated networking device is elected based on priority or IP address alone, then the election process is simple, but the bandwidth utilization becomes inefficient and data traffic may be dropped
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the election parameter from static priority/IP address to dynamic interface performance properties (bandwidth, speed, utilization metrics). The forwarding engine compares real-time interface performance data to determine the optimal designated networking device, transforming the election criterion from a simple identifier to a performance-based metric that adapts to current network conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring interface performance properties and using this information to make informed forwarding decisions. The forwarding engine receives interface performance data from multiple networking devices and uses this feedback to select the device with the optimal performance characteristics for the designated role, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to changing network conditions.
2Loss of time
If the designated networking device is selected without considering interface performance, then the device selection is quick, but high bandwidth utilization causes data traffic dropping
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-collecting and evaluating interface performance properties from all candidate networking devices before the actual data traffic forwarding begins. The forwarding engine assesses bandwidth, speed, and utilization metrics in advance, so when data traffic needs to be forwarded, the optimal designated device is already identified, avoiding both delays and unreliable selections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamics by making the designated networking device selection adaptable to changing network conditions. Instead of a static selection based on fixed priority or IP address, the system continuously monitors interface performance properties and can dynamically reassign the designated role to different devices based on current bandwidth availability, speed, and utilization metrics, ensuring both quick selection and high reliability.
3Reliability
If multiple networking devices forward data traffic to the edge device, then redundancy is provided, but unnecessary copies waste network resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the redundancy function from the forwarding decision process by selecting a single designated networking device based on interface performance properties. Instead of having multiple devices forward traffic (providing redundancy through duplication), the system identifies one optimal device whose interface performance metrics indicate it can reliably handle the traffic, thereby maintaining necessary reliability while eliminating wasteful resource consumption from duplicate forwarding.
Data Source
AI summary
A Protocol Independent Multicast (PIM) designated networking device election system includes a first networking device and a second networking device that are coupled to the first edge device. The second networking device receives a first PIM message from the first networking device and determines that the first PIM message indicates that the first networking device supports designated networking device election based on an interface performance property. The second networking device then determines whether a first interface performance property indication indicates that a first interface performance property of the first networking device or a second interface performance property of the second networking device satisfy an interface performance property condition. In response to determining that the second interface performance property satisfies the interface performance property condition, the second networking device forwards first data traffic received at the second networking device toward the first edge device.