Relay System Mediator for Redundant Switching Device Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In carrier networks, device-level redundancy systems face challenges in network management due to communication congestion and complexity when faults occur, particularly with inter-device link aggregation, making it difficult to grasp frame transfer paths and requiring sophisticated management strategies.
Innovation Solution
A relay system with a first redundancy device composed of two switching devices and a second redundancy device, connected through specific port configurations and Ethernet OAM functions, allowing communication to switch between links without flushing the Forwarding DataBase, thereby simplifying network management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inter-device link aggregation is applied to enable redundancy, then reliability is improved, but network management complexity increases and frame transfer paths become difficult to monitor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mediator mechanism where one switching device assumes the role of a mediator to manage and simplify the network path information. This mediator coordinates the link aggregation group (LAG) between redundancy devices, allowing the system to maintain redundancy while reducing the management burden on individual devices. The mediator approach enables centralized control of frame transfer paths without requiring each device to independently manage complex routing information.
2Ease of operation
If FDB flushing is performed during path switching, then path switching is achieved, but communication congestion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing multiple active paths through link aggregation groups before any fault occurs. When a fault is detected, the system can switch between pre-configured paths without needing to flush the Forwarding DataBase (FDB). This eliminates the need for FDB flushing during path switching, thereby preventing communication congestion while maintaining smooth fault recovery operations.
3Reliability
If multiple redundancy devices are connected to increase reliability, then reliability is improved, but network management becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the management functions of multiple redundancy devices by introducing a coordinated control mechanism. When redundancy devices are connected, they operate under a unified management framework that consolidates path information and control decisions. This merging approach allows multiple devices to function as a single coordinated unit, maintaining high reliability while simplifying network management through centralized or coordinated control rather than independent management of each device.
Data Source
AI summary
A first redundancy device and a second redundancy device connected to the first redundancy device are provided. A third switching device has a first link with a first port group of the first switching device and has no link with the second switching device. A fourth switching device has a second link with a first port group of the second switching device and has no link with the first switching device. Here, a communication between the first redundancy device and the second redundancy device is performed through the first link when the first link has no fault, and the communication is performed through the second link when the first link has a fault and the second link has no fault.