Port Information Framework for Stacking Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protocols, such as Unidirectional Link Detection Protocol (UDLD), are limited in their ability to detect port/link problems in stacking systems, particularly when a port fails without changing its status, leading to potential network breakdowns due to mis-forwarding or 'one-end-up, one-end-down' issues, as they lack a holistic view of port statuses across the system.
Innovation Solution
A framework that enables each device in a stacking system to create and propagate device records containing port information, allowing for system-wide communication and detection of port/link problems, including the ability to distinguish between unidirectional, nonfunctional, and partially failed links, and enabling automatic resolution of issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing protocols like UDLD are used to detect port failures, then single link detection capability is provided, but system-wide port status monitoring and holistic view are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges individual port detection capabilities into a unified system-wide monitoring framework. Each device contributes its port status information to a centralized data structure that aggregates information from all devices, enabling holistic system-wide monitoring while maintaining individual link detection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal data structure that serves multiple functions: individual link detection, system-wide status monitoring, unidirectional link detection, and automatic resolution coordination. This single framework replaces multiple separate protocols and provides comprehensive port status information across the entire system.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a port fails without status change (silent failure), then port remains in UP status, but packet forwarding fails causing network breakdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where devices continuously exchange port status information through a systematic data collection and propagation process. Each device reports its port states to neighboring devices, creating a feedback loop that detects silent failures by comparing expected versus actual port status information across the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary detection by systematically collecting and comparing port status information from all devices before packet forwarding issues manifest. The framework proactively identifies potential failures by detecting inconsistencies in port status reports, allowing preventive action before network breakdown occurs.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If UDLD operates on each link independently, then link-specific detection is achieved, but holistic system view and detection of complex failure scenarios is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines independent link detection capabilities into a unified system-wide monitoring framework. Each device contributes its port status information to a centralized data structure that aggregates information from all devices, enabling holistic system-wide monitoring while maintaining individual link detection capabilities.
4Reliability
If automatic resolution is implemented, then network breakdown prevention is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service automation where the system automatically detects port failures, identifies affected devices, and coordinates resolution actions without human intervention. The framework enables devices to autonomously participate in failure detection and resolution by exchanging status information and following automated protocols, reducing the need for manual network administration.
Data Source
AI summary
A framework for reliably communicating port information in a system of devices is provided. In one embodiment, each device in the system of devices can create a first record that includes port information pertaining to a plurality of ports of the device, where the plurality of ports are usable for communicatively coupling the device to other devices in the system of devices. The device can further receive, from the other devices in the system of devices, one or more second records including port information pertaining to the ports of the other devices, and can store the first record and the one or more second records in a data store maintained locally on the device. The device can then forward copies of the first record and the one or more second records out of each of the plurality of ports, thereby causing the copies of the first record and the one or more second records to be communicated to the other devices in the system of devices.