Ring Topology Network Fault Detection Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In communication networks with a ring topology, the reconfiguration time after a fault detection is excessively high due to delays caused by fault packets, leading to undesirable limitations in network size or increased CPU load when trying to minimize this time.
Innovation Solution
Implementing time synchronization among ring devices and using the IEEE 802.1Qbv standard for data traffic scheduling, which involves sorting test packets into a separate priority class, allocating an exclusive send queue, defining a protected send time window, and setting up a guard time band to prevent delays in test packet transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If test packets are transmitted regularly through the ring topology to detect faults, then fault detection capability is improved, but reconfiguration time increases due to delays caused by fault packets in the queue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data traffic into different priority classes, separating test packets (high priority) from regular data packets (lower priority). This segmentation allows test packets to be transmitted without being blocked by data packets in the queue, thereby reducing reconfiguration time while maintaining fault detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary actions by pre-configuring priority queues and transmission windows for test packets before faults occur. The managing ring device is pre-prepared to immediately transmit test packets upon detecting a fault condition, without waiting for queue clearance, thus minimizing reconfiguration time.
2Loss of time
If the time interval between test packets is reduced to minimize reconfiguration time, then reconfiguration time is improved, but CPU load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic transmission windows that adapt to network conditions. Instead of continuously transmitting test packets at fixed intervals, the system dynamically opens transmission windows only when necessary (upon fault detection), allowing longer intervals between tests during normal operation and reducing CPU load while maintaining fast reconfiguration capability when needed.
3Speed
If test packets are transmitted with high priority to eliminate waiting periods, then transmission speed is improved, but network complexity increases due to scheduling mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of packet priority classification, assigning high priority specifically to test packets while maintaining standard priority for data packets. This parameter change enables fast test packet transmission through existing priority queue mechanisms without requiring complex custom scheduling, as the underlying network infrastructure already supports priority-based queuing.
Data Source
AI summary
A communications network and method for operating the communications network that includes ring devices that are networked to one another in a ring topology, where the ring devices participate in a ring redundancy process in which an administrating ring device regularly sends test packets over the communications network, which received in sequence by other ring devices and successively forwarded by these devices back to the administrating ring device so as to detect faults in the communications network, where a transmission delay of a test packet along the ring topology because of interfering packets within the ring topology is prevented by synchronizing the ring devices and processing at least parts of a data traffic schedule in accordance with the 802.1Qbv standard in the ring redundancy process applied, and where transmission of the test packets is scheduled and controlled such that the packets are forwarded to the ring devices substantially without delay.