Ring Network Uplink Failover via Neighbor FLM Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
In scalable compute resources with ring network topology, ensuring that only a single uplink is active to prevent network errors and crashes, while also addressing the recovery of an unresponsive active uplink without enabling concurrent uplinks, is challenging due to potential software failures and intermittent issues.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a neighbor Frame Link Module (FLM) within the same frame to verify the status of the unresponsive active uplink, disable it if necessary, and reboot it if a software failure is detected, thereby preventing network loops and minimizing manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the active uplink becomes unresponsive and recovery measures are taken, then network reliability is improved, but there is a risk of enabling two concurrent uplinks which causes network errors and crashes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the owner FLM monitors the status of the active uplink by sending status messages and receiving responses. When the active uplink becomes unresponsive (no response received), this feedback triggers a controlled recovery process. The neighbor FLM is instructed to disable the uplink, and subsequent attempts to enable it are blocked until the system confirms the uplink is truly down, preventing concurrent active uplinks and network errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the neighbor FLM as an intermediary component that mediates between the owner FLM and the active uplink. When the owner FLM detects an unresponsive active uplink, it instructs the neighbor FLM to disable the uplink. This intermediary approach ensures that the uplink disabling action is taken by a different module, adding a layer of control and preventing direct self-manipulation that could lead to errors.
2Reliability
If manual intervention is required to address unresponsive uplink, then network stability is maintained, but productivity and response time deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service automation where the system automatically detects unresponsive uplinks and executes recovery procedures without human intervention. The owner FLM monitors uplink status, detects failures, and automatically instructs the neighbor FLM to disable and subsequently enable the uplink. This automated self-service mechanism maintains network stability while eliminating the need for manual intervention, thus improving productivity and response time.
3Ease of operation
If the neighbor FLM is used to disable and reboot the active uplink, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the uplink management functionality by dividing responsibilities between the owner FLM and neighbor FLM. The owner FLM is responsible for monitoring uplink status and making decisions, while the neighbor FLM executes the actual disabling and enabling actions. This segmentation allows for easier operation through automatic failover while managing complexity by distributing functions across separate modules with clearly defined roles.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system are disclosed to enable an FLM designated as an owner, in a group of frames having redundant FLMs per frame, to ensure that an unresponsive “active” uplink is disabled, prior to allowing another uplink in the frame to become the active uplink. A group of frames, configured in a ring network topology, may only have a single uplink at a time. Otherwise, two or more concurrent active uplinks may cause a network loop that may result in total network failure (e.g., network crash). The disclosed method utilizes a coordination between an FLM owner on the ring and the neighbor FLM, in the same frame as the non-responsive FLM, to disable the active uplink, prior to transitioning to a new active uplink for the group of frames.