Ethernet Repeater Shortest Route Selection via Hop Number Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Ethernet ring shape network topologies, network traffic increases unnecessarily when a switch transmits data frames from both ring ports after receiving a 'frame to other-switch-hung device,' leading to non-shortest communication routes.
Innovation Solution
A repeater with an address table and communication controller that determines the shortest route by comparing hop numbers for each destination address, selecting the port with the smaller hop number to transmit frames efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a switch transmits frames from both ring ports after receiving a frame to other-switch-hung device, then the frame delivery reliability is improved, but the network traffic increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects which ring port to use for forwarding frames based on real-time conditions. The communication controller determines the appropriate ring port by checking the address table and comparing hop numbers, making the forwarding path adaptive rather than static. This dynamic selection ensures reliable delivery while minimizing unnecessary traffic by choosing the optimal single path.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses hop number parameters stored in the address table to make forwarding decisions. By comparing hop number values associated with different ring ports, the system changes the forwarding parameter (which ring port to use) based on which path offers the shortest route. This parameter-based decision-making resolves the contradiction by selecting the most efficient path while maintaining delivery reliability.
2Quantity of substance
If a switch transmits frames from only one ring port, then the network traffic is reduced, but the communication route may not be the shortest one
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback through the address table that stores hop number information for each destination device. When a frame needs to be forwarded, the communication controller queries this table to receive feedback about which ring port provides the shortest route. This feedback mechanism ensures that the single selected port actually leads to the optimal path, maintaining high communication efficiency while reducing traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The address table is pre-populated with hop number information for all known destination devices and their optimal ring ports. This preliminary action of storing routing information in advance allows the communication controller to quickly determine the best single path without real-time calculation, ensuring both traffic reduction and communication efficiency are achieved through pre-computed optimal routes.
3Length of moving object
If hop number comparison is performed for route selection, then the shortest route is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hop number information is pre-calculated and stored in the address table during network initialization or when routing information is updated. This preliminary computation of optimal paths eliminates the need for complex real-time calculations when forwarding frames. The communication controller only needs to perform simple lookups and comparisons of pre-stored hop numbers, achieving shortest route selection without significant increase in operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The address table serves itself by storing both the destination address and the associated hop number information. When a frame needs routing, the system uses the destination address to automatically retrieve the corresponding hop number and select the appropriate ring port. This self-service mechanism minimizes the complexity of the communication controller by leveraging the stored information structure to make routing decisions automatically.
Data Source
AI summary
A repeater is implemented as switches, each having ring-connection ports. In an address table in each of the switches, a list of hop numbers is stored as additional information in addition to the addresses, listing hop numbers to each of destination devices for the ring-connection ports in association with an address. When a communication controller in each of the switches finds the same destination address stored in the address table for the ring-connection ports, the communication controller selects, from the address table, one of the two destination addresses for the ring-connection ports having a smaller hop number as a transfer destination of the frame, thereby enabling the frame to take a shortest possible communication route to the destination devices.