Single-Loop Switch Topology Adjustment for Faster Link Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) technologies take significant time to reconstruct network topology, leading to data loss due to prolonged downtime during network changes.

Innovation Solution

A multi-instance single loop topology adjustment method and network switch that configures different back-up ports for different network instances, allowing virtual local area network traffic to be dispersed along different paths, and utilizes recovery and block control frames to dynamically adjust the network topology in response to link abnormalities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional STP or RSTP technology is used to avoid network loops, then network stability is improved, but the time required for topology reconstruction increases significantly, causing data loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork stabilityVSAvoidtopology reconstruction time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the network instances into multiple segments (first network instance and second network instance), each with dedicated backup ports. This segmentation allows independent topology adjustment in each instance, enabling faster recovery by limiting the scope of reconstruction to only the affected segment rather than the entire network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention pre-configures backup ports in each network instance before failures occur. When a link abnormality is detected, the pre-configured backup ports can immediately activate without requiring time-consuming topology reconstruction, thus reducing recovery time while maintaining network stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If backup ports are configured for all network instances, then traffic dispersion is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraffic dispersion capabilityVSAvoidswitch configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies different configurations to different network instances locally. Each instance has its own backup port configuration, allowing traffic dispersion where needed while keeping other instances simpler. This local differentiation achieves adaptability without uniformly increasing complexity across the entire system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of configuring backup ports for all network instances uniformly, the invention applies backup port configuration only to specific instances (first and second network instances) where it is most beneficial. This partial application achieves traffic dispersion capability while avoiding unnecessary complexity in other instances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS20250392517A1Multi-instance single loop topology adjustment method and network switch

Publication Date: 2025.12.25 REALTEK SEMICON CORP

AI summary

A multi-instance single loop topology adjustment method and network switch are provided. The single loop networks of each instance have distinct back-up ports, defaulted to a blocking state. Thus, when abnormalities occur in a link of the single loop network, the topology of each instance is adjusted by changing the back-up ports of each instance to a forwarding state.