SDN Controller Automates PRP Host Detection and Flow Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing and configuring parallel redundancy protocol (PRP) in software-defined networks (SDNs) is complex due to the need for manual configuration of redundant communication flows, which can lead to errors and increased burden on network administrators, especially in operational technology networks like electric power transmission systems.
Innovation Solution
An SDN controller automatically discovers PRP devices and configures communication flows, using techniques such as monitoring ARP packets and analyzing packet structures to identify PRP traffic, enabling automated setup of PRP communication paths and providing additional fault tolerance through physically separate networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual configuration of PRP communication flows is used, then network administrators have control over redundancy setup, but configuration complexity and error risk increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The SDN controller automatically performs PRP configuration by monitoring ARP packets and packet structures to identify PRP devices, then autonomously sets up redundant communication flows without requiring manual administrator intervention, thereby reducing configuration complexity while maintaining fault tolerance
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors network traffic including ARP packets and PRP packet structures to automatically detect PRP devices and their status, using this feedback information to dynamically adjust and maintain optimal redundant communication paths, resolving the contradiction between reliability and configuration complexity
2Reliability
If manual configuration of PRP is performed, then administrators can customize redundancy paths, but time consumption and operational burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The SDN controller proactively monitors network traffic and automatically identifies PRP devices before failures occur, pre-configuring redundant communication paths in advance, which eliminates the time-consuming manual configuration process while ensuring redundancy is already in place when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The automated discovery and configuration system performs all PRP setup tasks autonomously by analyzing packet structures and monitoring ARP traffic, dramatically reducing the time and operational burden on administrators while maintaining comprehensive redundancy coverage
3Productivity
If automated PRP discovery is implemented, then configuration time is reduced, but detection and measurement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The SDN controller uses continuous monitoring of ARP packets and PRP packet structures as feedback mechanisms to automatically detect PRP devices, transforming the detection complexity into an automated process that improves configuration speed without requiring manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses ARP packets and packet structure analysis as intermediary indicators to indirectly identify PRP devices, avoiding the need for direct complex detection methods while enabling automated discovery and configuration
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure pertains to identifying a host using parallel redundancy protocol (PRP) and properly configuring communication circuits for the device in a software defined network (SDN). In one embodiment, a system includes a network in communication with a first communication host and a second communication host, the network comprising a plurality of switches interconnected with a plurality of physical links. An SDN controller in communication with the network includes a PRP identification subsystem to identify PRP traffic from the first communication host and destined for the second communication host. The SDN controller generates a first address resolution protocol (ARP) message directed to the second communication host and receive a first response from the second communication host to the ARP message that conforms to PRP. Based on the response, a traffic routing subsystem provisions communication flows between the first communication host and the second communication host to route PRP traffic.