Redundant Virtual Link Aggregation Group for Network Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies do not provide a scalable and flexible solution for device-level redundancy in virtual link aggregation groups, leading to potential network disruptions and performance degradation when active end devices fail, as they typically rely on a single principal switch for failover operations.
Innovation Solution
A redundant virtual link aggregation group is established, where links are divided into active and standby sets, allowing the system to dynamically switch to standby links when operational active links fall below a threshold, reducing network disruptions and providing high availability by distributing traffic across multiple participant switches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single principal switch is used for failover operations in a virtual link aggregation group, then device complexity is reduced, but network reliability deteriorates when active end devices fail
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual link aggregation group is segmented into multiple sub-VLAGs, each associated with a different participant switch. This segmentation allows traffic to be distributed across multiple switches rather than relying on a single principal switch, thereby improving network reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through organized division of functions.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple participant switches are merged to form a distributed virtual link aggregation group that functions as a unified entity. The switches collectively provide failover capabilities through the sub-VLAG architecture, achieving high reliability without requiring any single switch to handle all failover operations independently.
2Reliability
If links are divided into active and standby sets with dynamic switching capability, then network reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic link management where participant switches can transition between active and standby roles based on operational conditions. The link management module automatically determines current mode and operates links accordingly, providing adaptability without requiring manual intervention or overly complex configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The link management module autonomously monitors link status and performs failover operations without external control. Each participant switch independently manages its own links and can detect failures, triggering automatic switching to standby links or sub-VLAGs, thereby reducing the need for complex external management systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traffic is distributed across multiple participant switches, then network scalability is improved, but coordination overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
Traffic distribution is achieved through segmentation into sub-VLAGs, each handled by a specific participant switch. This organized division allows scalable addition of switches and links while maintaining clear coordination rules within each sub-VLAG, preventing overwhelming coordination overhead as the network grows.
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment of the present invention provides a switch. The switch includes a link aggregation module and a link management module. The link aggregation module establishes a virtual link aggregation group comprising a plurality of links coupled to the switch and one or more other switches. The plurality of links includes a first and a second sets of links coupling a first and a second end devices, respectively. The link management module determines a current mode which indicates which of the sets of links is currently active, and operates the first and the second sets of links as active and standby links, respectively, for the virtual link aggregation group based on the current mode and a port role for a port participating in the virtual link aggregation group. The port role indicates whether the port is coupled to an active link or a backup link.