RedBox Protocol Conversion for STP to HSR Network Interconnect

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network technologies face limitations in establishing redundant paths across networks utilizing varying network control protocols, as individual network nodes may not adhere to all protocols, leading to restricted interconnectivity and communication flexibility between network segments.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a second network segment operating with the High-availability Seamless Redundancy (HSR) protocol to interconnect nodes or bridges of a first network segment using the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), by modifying STP control data frames to adhere to the HSR protocol at Redundancy Boxes (RedBox) for transport across the second segment, and re-forming them back to STP protocol at the egress point, enabling path establishment between nodes or bridges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a second network segment using HSR protocol is introduced to interconnect STP network segments, then network redundancy and fault tolerance are improved, but device complexity increases due to protocol conversion requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork redundancyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces RedBox devices as intermediary components that facilitate communication between STP and HSR network segments. These RedBoxes perform protocol conversion by modifying STP control data frames to adhere to HSR protocol for transport across the second network segment, and re-forming them back to STP protocol at the egress point. This intermediary approach enables network redundancy without requiring all nodes to support multiple protocols simultaneously, thus managing device complexity while improving reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If protocol conversion is implemented at RedBoxes, then adaptability between different network protocols is improved, but loss of information may occur during frame modification

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol compatibilityVSAvoidcontrol data integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements protocol conversion by modifying parameters of STP control data frames to adhere to HSR protocol. The RedBox devices change frame parameters such as protocol identifiers and addressing formats to enable transport across HSR segments. At the egress RedBox, these parameters are reversed to restore the original STP protocol format, ensuring control data integrity while achieving protocol adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11516119B2System, method, and device for communication between network segments

Publication Date: 2022.11.29 SIEMENS CANADA LTD

AI summary

A method of providing a path between bridges of a first network segment. The first network segment is configured using a Spanning Tree Protocol (‘STP’). The method includes providing a second network segment interconnecting first and second bridges of said first network segment. The second network segment is operable to transmit frames adherent to a High-availability Seamless Redundancy (‘HSR’) network control protocol and to discard the STP control data frames. The method also includes modifying at a first Redundancy Box (‘RedBox’) STP control data frames to form modified data frames adherent to the HSR protocol. The method also includes modifying at a second RedBox, the modified data frames to re-form the STP control data frames.