Ring Protection Network Division Owner Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In datacenter network systems, the division of ring protection networks into multiple networks can lead to customer traffic loops due to the absence of an owner network, causing performance degradation and management challenges, especially when new ring protection networks are formed without identifying a single owner.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of ring division managers within network modules that automatically detect disconnections and reconnections, identify an owner for newly formed networks, and establish a single uplink to prevent loops, using protocols like Continuity Check Protocol (CCP) and Owner Selection Protocol (OSP), ensuring proper operation and integrity of the ring protection networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ring protection networks are divided into multiple networks, then network flexibility and adaptability are improved, but customer traffic loops occur due to absence of owner network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an owner selection protocol (OSP) and continuity check protocol (CCP) as intermediary mechanisms that mediate between network division and loop prevention. These protocols act as mediators that automatically identify and assign owner networks, ensuring that even when rings are divided into multiple networks, each segment has a designated owner that prevents traffic loops. The intermediary protocols bridge the gap between network flexibility and loop prevention by providing automated owner identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service through automated owner detection and assignment mechanisms. When a ring protection network is divided, the networks automatically execute OSP and CCP to identify themselves and assign owner status without external intervention. This self-service capability ensures that network division can proceed freely while the automated protocols prevent harmful loops by establishing proper ownership relationships.
2Reliability
If automatic owner identification is implemented, then network integrity is maintained, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the owner identification function as a separate, dedicated protocol (OSP) distinct from the basic ring protection mechanisms. By taking out the owner selection logic into a standalone protocol, the system maintains network integrity through specialized functionality while managing complexity through protocol separation. The extraction allows the owner identification to be handled independently without complicating the core ring protection operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuity check protocol (CCP) serves multiple functions: it monitors network connectivity, detects ring divisions, and facilitates owner identification. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by consolidating several functions into a single protocol rather than requiring separate mechanisms for each function. The universal CCP protocol handles both connectivity monitoring and owner selection coordination, simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Ease of manufacture
If ring protection networks are divided without owner identification, then network reconfiguration is simplified, but performance degradation occurs due to traffic loops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the owner selection protocol execute automatically and immediately upon ring division detection. Rather than requiring manual owner identification after reconfiguration, the system performs the owner selection action preliminarily and automatically as part of the division process itself. This preliminary automated action prevents performance degradation from occurring in the first place, while keeping reconfiguration simple for network operators.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples herein involve dividing a ring protection network into multiple ring protection networks. Examples include detecting a disconnection in a ring protection network, determining whether an owner of the ring protection network is in a new ring protection network divided from the ring protection network, and establishing an owner of the new ring protection network based on whether the owner of the ring protection network is in the new ring protection network.