Redundant Network Access Point Selection Logic for Industrial LAN Nodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
In industrial process control networks, nodes with redundant network connections still face reliability issues due to single points of failure, as existing self-healing networks do not provide advantages when a selected access point fails, and end-to-end connectivity testing is unnecessary in deterministic self-healing environments.
Innovation Solution
A method and logic for selecting a preferred network access point based on connectivity testing between primary and backup access points, ensuring that communications are routed through the access point providing superior connectivity, thereby managing redundant access points effectively and maintaining network reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If end-to-end connectivity testing is implemented in deterministic self-healing networks, then network reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary connectivity testing between primary and backup access points before failures occur. By proactively establishing baseline connectivity status and monitoring changes, the system can detect access point failures early and switch to backup paths before they impact critical process control operations, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex real-time intervention mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback monitoring of connectivity status between access points and other network nodes. This feedback mechanism tracks whether access points can still reach other nodes on the network, enabling automatic detection of isolation events and triggering appropriate failover actions, thus enhancing reliability through a relatively simple monitoring and response framework
2Reliability
If redundant network access points are configured, then network reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically manages redundant access points by continuously monitoring their connectivity status and automatically designating primary and backup roles based on current network conditions. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to changing network states without requiring complex manual configuration or intervention, achieving high reliability through automated, flexible management of redundant paths
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting connectivity failures, determining which access points are isolated, and switching to backup access points without external intervention. The automated failure detection and recovery mechanisms enable the network to maintain reliability while minimizing the operational complexity that would otherwise be required to manage redundant configurations
3Reliability
If access point selection based on connectivity testing is implemented, then network reliability is improved, but loss of time occurs during switching
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary connectivity assessments and maintains knowledge of backup access point availability. By having pre-identified backup paths and understanding the connectivity landscape in advance, the system can execute failover operations quickly when failures occur, minimizing switching time while maintaining reliability through proactive preparation
Solution Approach 2:
When connectivity failures are detected, the system rapidly skips through the failover process by immediately switching to pre-identified backup access points without performing extensive re-evaluation or optimization. This rushed failover approach prioritizes speed of recovery over thoroughness of analysis, thereby minimizing time loss during critical switching operations while maintaining network reliability
Data Source
AI summary
A method and network access point selection logic are described for a redundantly connected industrial LAN node including at least primary and backup network access points. Network connectivity is determined by a redundantly connected node by testing connectivity between the node's primary and backup physical network access points. Upon detecting a loss of connectivity between the redundant node's primary and backup network access points, the node executes access point selection logic, based upon tests of connectivity between the redundantly connected (primary and backup) network access points and a set of nodes on the LAN, to select a preferred/primary one of the redundant access points. Thereafter, the redundantly connected node binds its connections according to primary and backup designations for its redundant network access points.