Port Switch Stream Profiling for Fast Network Fault Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Distributed computing systems face challenges in detecting when nodes or buses go offline, necessitating a method to determine connectivity and fault detection within the system.

Innovation Solution

A distributed computing system employs port switches to identify online and offline stream profiles, comparing deviations to detect faults using per-stream filtering and policing based on IEEE 802.1Qci standard, transmitting notifications upon fault detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional fault detection methods are used in distributed computing systems, then the system can operate with existing hardware, but the detection time is prolonged and fault detection reliability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault detection reliabilityVSAvoiddetection time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by establishing baseline stream profiles for each communication stream during normal operation. These profiles capture the expected behavior patterns of data traffic. When faults occur, the system compares current stream behavior against these pre-established baselines, enabling rapid and reliable fault detection without requiring additional hardware or prolonged detection periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback by monitoring communication streams and comparing actual behavior against expected profiles. When deviations exceed predefined thresholds, the system generates fault notifications and alerts. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables real-time fault detection and response, significantly improving both detection reliability and reducing detection time compared to traditional methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If additional hardware is deployed for fault detection, then detection precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault detection precisionVSAvoidhardware complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies self-service by utilizing the existing communication infrastructure and data traffic within the distributed computing system to perform fault detection. Instead of adding separate monitoring hardware, the system leverages the natural flow of data through the network, analyzing stream profiles and behavior patterns using the same communication channels already in place. This approach achieves high detection precision while avoiding additional hardware complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements multi-functionality by using the existing port switches and communication infrastructure for both data transmission and fault detection purposes. The same network components that handle regular communication traffic also perform stream profile analysis and fault detection. This universal use of existing hardware eliminates the need for dedicated detection devices, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high detection precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12513068B2Distributed computing system for detecting faults based on stream filtering and policing
Publication Date: 2025.12.30 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
  • US12513068B2 patent drawing
  • US12513068B2 patent drawing
  • US12513068B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A distributed computing system includes one or more computing devices and one or more communication links in electronic communication with one another. Each communication link includes one or more nodes and a port switch. The one or more nodes are in electronic communication with one another by a communication link and the communication link is connected to the distributed computing system by the port switch. The port switch executes instructions to identify an online unique stream profile for a specific stream and determine an expected unique stream profile deviation during a specified interval of time. The port switch determines a difference between an offline unique stream profile and the online unique stream profile, compares an absolute value of the difference with the expected unique stream profile deviation, and in response to determining the difference is greater than the expected unique stream profile deviation, determines a fault has occurred.