Relay Apparatus Discard Frame Extraction for Failure Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
In communication networks, identifying the point of failure when data is not delivered to its destination is challenging, especially in networks with multiple switches, as existing methods require extensive packet capture and analysis, which is impractical and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A network device that performs communication at the data link layer extracts and records specific information from packets at the network layer without packet capture, allowing for failure analysis by determining whether frames should be discarded and extracting relevant information for discard frames.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If packet capture is performed in each network switch to identify discarded frames, then failure analysis capability is improved, but storage capacity requirement and analysis load increase enormously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information from discarded frames (frame count, discard reason, destination address, input port) rather than capturing entire packets. This extraction approach maintains failure analysis capability while dramatically reducing storage requirements and analysis load.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements different processing approaches for different types of information: essential diagnostic information is extracted and stored, while unnecessary packet data is discarded. This local quality differentiation optimizes the balance between analysis capability and resource consumption.
2Measurement precision
If packet capture is performed in each network switch to identify discarded frames, then failure analysis capability is improved, but device complexity and analysis load increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information from discarded frames (frame count, discard reason, destination address, input port) rather than capturing entire packets. This extraction approach maintains failure analysis capability while dramatically reducing storage requirements and analysis load.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of capturing all packets and then analyzing them to find discarded frames, the patent inverts the approach by directly monitoring and extracting information only from discarded frames at the point of discarding. This inversion eliminates the need for extensive packet capture and subsequent analysis.
3Productivity
If statistical information is used to narrow down discarded frames, then analysis scope is reduced, but packet capture and analysis are still required
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of capturing all packets and then analyzing them to find discarded frames, the patent inverts the approach by directly monitoring and extracting information only from discarded frames at the point of discarding. This inversion eliminates the need for extensive packet capture and subsequent analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The network switch automatically extracts and records discard frame information (count, reason, destination, input port) without requiring external packet capture systems. This self-service capability reduces dependency on complex external analysis tools.
Data Source
AI summary
A relay apparatus includes a memory and a processor coupled with the memory. The processor is configured to determine whether a frame received from a first device is to be discarded. The frame includes first information set at a first communication layer and second information set at a second communication layer different from the first communication layer. The processor is configured to transmit the frame to a second device upon determining that the frame is not to be discarded. The second device is set as a destination in the first information. The processor is configured to extract third information from the second information upon determining that the frame is to be discarded. The processor is configured to output the third information.