Router Cluster Expansion via Control Plane Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing router cluster systems require equipment expansion to be performed offline, disrupting data services and necessitating hardware replacement, which increases costs and complicates maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for expanding a router cluster system online by establishing a control plane and switching equipment management rights from a newly added Cluster Line-card Device (CLC) to a Cluster Central Exchange Device (CCC), allowing seamless integration without service interruptions or hardware replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If equipment expansion is performed by adding new CLC or CCC in the prior art, then system capacity is increased, but data services must be interrupted and equipment must be restarted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing control planes between the new CLC and CCC before the expansion operation. The new CLC is pre-configured with control plane connections to both the old and new CCCs, enabling seamless takeover without service interruption. This preliminary setup allows the system to maintain service continuity while performing capacity expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the control plane as an intermediary mechanism between CLCs and CCCs. The control plane establishes communication and management channels that allow the new CLC to be integrated into the cluster without disrupting data services. This intermediary control mechanism enables smooth expansion while maintaining service reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If equipment expansion is performed offline in the prior art, then configuration and cable connection can be completed, but service interruption occurs and expansion complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by enabling online expansion where data services continue uninterrupted during the expansion process. The control plane management allows configuration and integration of new CLCs while data services remain active, eliminating service interruption time and maintaining continuous operational utility.
3Quantity of substance
If hardware replacement is required for expansion in the prior art, then system capacity can be increased, but user investment increases and maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the CLC and CCC with universal control plane interfaces and standardized connection mechanisms. The new CLC can connect to either the old or new CCC through standard control plane protocols, eliminating the need for specialized hardware replacement procedures and reducing maintenance complexity while enabling capacity expansion.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for expanding a cluster system is provided. The cluster system includes at least one Cluster Central Chassis (CCC), and a newly-added Cluster Line-card Chassis (CLC) connected with the CCC to form the cluster system. The method includes the following steps. A control plane is established. An equipment management right is switched to the CCC, so that the CCC manages the newly-added CLC. Meanwhile, a cluster line-card device, a cluster central exchange device, and a cluster system are further provided. In implementation, smooth expansion can be achieved without interrupting running equipment services in the CLC current network and without interrupting data services. Moreover, during the expansion process, hardware equipment needs not to be replaced, thus investment of users on the equipment is reduced.