Ring Master Uplink Failover for Ethernet Access Rings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ring protection protocols in Ethernet access rings are complex, require active participation from all nodes, and are often proprietary, limiting vendor interoperability and failing to meet 50 ms failover requirements, while standard protocols like 802.1 IEEE and RSTP are too slow for common redundancy needs.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that designates a ring master device to send connectivity check messages around the access ring, blocking interfaces as necessary to detect and restore connectivity failures, allowing for dual homing to diverse aggregation devices and avoiding closed loops, with adaptable intervals and VLAN-based message control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional ring protection protocols are used, then redundancy is provided, but the protocols are complex and require active participation from all nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ring protection functionality from a distributed protocol requiring all nodes to participate, and concentrates it in a single Ring Master device. The Ring Master alone performs connectivity checks and manages interface blocking/unblocking, while other nodes simply forward packets. This extraction of the control function to a single node resolves the contradiction by maintaining redundancy while eliminating the complexity of universal node participation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If standard protocols like 802.1 IEEE and RSTP are used, then compatibility is ensured, but they are too slow to meet 50 ms failover requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the failover process into distinct phases: continuous connectivity monitoring by the Ring Master, rapid detection of link failures through missed connectivity check messages, and immediate interface state changes. This segmentation allows the system to bypass the slower standardized protocol sequences while maintaining compatibility, achieving sub-50ms failover by optimizing the critical detection and response phases independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The Ring Master continuously sends connectivity check messages around the ring before failures occur, maintaining an up-to-date view of ring integrity. This preliminary monitoring action enables immediate detection of failures without waiting for standardized protocol timeouts or handshakes, allowing the system to react within 50 ms rather than the seconds required by standard protocols.
3Speed
If proprietary ring protection protocols are used, then fast failover is achieved, but vendor interoperability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal ring protection mechanism where the Ring Master device can interoperate with aggregation equipment from different vendors. The solution uses standard Ethernet packet forwarding and VLAN tagging for connectivity check messages, allowing proprietary fast-failover logic to coexist with standard interoperable interfaces. This multi-functionality enables both fast failover performance and broad vendor compatibility.
4Reliability
If all nodes actively participate in ring protection, then comprehensive monitoring is achieved, but device complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex connectivity monitoring and control functions from all nodes and concentrates them exclusively in the Ring Master device. Ordinary nodes are relieved of protocol processing complexity and only perform simple packet forwarding for connectivity check messages. This extraction maintains comprehensive ring monitoring while dramatically reducing the processing complexity and overhead at each individual node.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for providing an uplink over an access ring (1) comprising access devices (2) and at least one aggregation device, wherein each device of said access ring (1) has ring interfaces connecting said device to neighboring devices in said access ring (1), wherein one access device (2) of said access ring (1) is configured as a ring master device (4) which sends connectivity check messages (CCM) on both its ring interfaces around said access ring (1) to itself to detect a connectivity failure in said access ring (1), wherein said ring master device (4) changes a state of one of its ring interfaces depending on the detection result.