Relay Apparatus Multi-VLAN Priority Control via Segmented Queues
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional relay apparatuses cannot perform priority control on packets circulating over different virtual networks, leading to improper packet relaying based on priority, as they only manage packets with the same VLAN number.
Innovation Solution
A relay apparatus with multiple reception and transmission ports, queues associated with priority and VLAN numbers, and storage units to determine the correct queue for each packet based on VLAN and priority, ensuring packets are relayed according to their priority and VLAN, using techniques like Deficit Round Robin for transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the relay apparatus performs packet relaying control based on priority for packets with the same VLAN number, then priority control within a single virtual network is improved, but the apparatus cannot perform priority control on packets with different VLAN numbers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the queue selection process into two independent stages: first determining the queue group based on VLAN number, then determining the specific queue within that group based on priority. This segmentation allows priority control to be applied independently within each VLAN while maintaining VLAN-specific queue management, thereby enabling both same-VLAN and different-VLAN priority control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a two-dimensional queue organization structure with VLAN number as one dimension and priority as another dimension. Queues are arranged in a matrix where rows represent VLAN numbers and columns represent priority levels. This dimensional expansion allows the system to simultaneously manage packets from multiple VLANs while maintaining priority control across all VLANs, transforming a single-dimensional (VLAN-only) approach into a two-dimensional (VLAN-priority) approach.
2Productivity
If the relay apparatus manages packets by VLAN number only, then bandwidth control for each virtual network is achieved, but priority control across different virtual networks cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments queue management into VLAN-specific queue groups while maintaining priority-based queue selection within each group. This segmentation preserves the bandwidth control efficiency of VLAN-based management while adding priority control capability across VLANs by allowing the priority field to influence queue selection at the intra-group level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the queue determination mechanism universal by designing it to handle both VLAN-based and priority-based control simultaneously. The same queue determination unit can operate in VLAN-only mode for bandwidth control or in combined VLAN-priority mode for cross-VLAN priority control, making the system multi-functional without requiring separate control paths.
3Productivity
If the relay apparatus uses separate queues for each VLAN number, then bandwidth control for each virtual network is improved, but the complexity of queue management increases when handling multiple VLANs with different priorities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the queue management complexity by organizing queues into VLAN-specific groups and handling priority determination separately within each group. This segmentation allows independent optimization of VLAN bandwidth control while simplifying priority management through a standardized two-step process, reducing the overall management complexity compared to fully independent queue management for each VLAN-priority combination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the queue management structure from a flat single-dimensional array to a two-dimensional matrix organized by VLAN number and priority. This dimensional organization naturally handles the complexity of multiple VLANs with different priorities by providing a systematic mapping structure, making queue selection more manageable through the formula: queue_index = VLAN_number × total_queues + priority_level.
Data Source
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AI summary
A relay apparatus for use in a communications system having multiple VLANs. A packet storing unit (183) stores relay instructions for received packets in different queues depending on priority and a VLAN number. DRR schedulers take out relay instructions from respective queues through a DRR technique. A priority control transmission scheduler transmits the packets to another apparatus according to the relay instructions in a descending order of priority.