Rapid Flood Processing in SPB Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Shortest Path Bridging (SPB) networks, the existing flooding methods are inefficient due to instability caused by Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and low link utilization, leading to slow convergence and increased redundant protocol packet transmission.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a rapid flood processing method in SPBM networks by selecting primary backbone devices and enabling the rapid flood function, which reduces the number of hops for protocol packet transmission through a combination of ordinary and rapid flood methods, allowing specific protocol packets like IS-IS LSP to be sent directly to nodes enabling the rapid flood function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional flooding methods are used in SPB networks, then all nodes receive protocol packets through standard spanning tree paths, but the flooding time is long and convergence is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into two functional groups: rapid flood devices that handle accelerated protocol packet distribution, and ordinary devices that use standard flooding. This segmentation allows protocol packets to be rapidly distributed through selected backbone devices while maintaining standard operation for other nodes, thereby increasing flood speed and reducing convergence time without requiring all devices to change their behavior
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces rapid flood devices as intermediary nodes that act as mediators for protocol packet distribution. These intermediary devices receive protocol packets and rapidly forward them to other rapid flood devices, creating an accelerated distribution path that bypasses the slower standard spanning tree flooding process for critical control packets
2Reliability
If standard Spanning Tree Protocol is used, then network stability is maintained through hierarchical structure, but link utilization efficiency is low and convergence is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by enabling rapid flood function selectively at specific backbone devices rather than uniformly across all network nodes. This allows the network to maintain stable hierarchical structure through standard STP while creating localized high-performance paths for protocol packet distribution, thereby improving link utilization efficiency without compromising overall network stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic behavior by allowing rapid flood devices to actively participate in protocol packet distribution when needed, while ordinary devices continue with standard flooding. This dynamic adaptation enables the network to optimize performance for control traffic while maintaining the stability-providing hierarchical structure, thus improving productivity without sacrificing reliability
3Speed
If rapid flood function is enabled at all nodes, then flooding speed is maximized, but device complexity and protocol overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by enabling the rapid flood function at only certain backbone devices rather than at all network nodes. This partial deployment achieves the speed benefits of rapid flooding for protocol packets while avoiding the complexity overhead at every device. The selective activation means only necessary nodes incur the additional processing and protocol complexity
4Quantity of substance
If conventional flooding is used, then all links participate in data transmission, but redundant protocol packet transmission occurs and bandwidth is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts protocol packet transmission from the general flooding process by creating a separate rapid flood mechanism. Protocol packets are taken out of the standard spanning tree flooding path and transmitted through dedicated rapid flood paths between selected backbone devices. This extraction eliminates redundant transmissions through ordinary devices and reduces bandwidth waste while maintaining necessary protocol distribution
Data Source
AI summary
When a device is a primary backbone device, the device adds a backbone device on each branch of a STP tree calculated by the device to a selected group, wherein a distance between the device and the added backbone device is kN hops, where k is an integer and N is a predefined natural number, 3≦N≦6, k=1, 2, . . . . The device enables a rapid flood function, and notifies backbone devices in the selected group of the enabling of the rapid flood function.