SNMP Processing Unit for VLAN Status Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing SNMP-based network management systems face increased communication volume and processing overhead when managing a large number of VLANs, leading to potential delays and service disruptions, especially in networks with narrow communication bandwidth.
Innovation Solution
A communication device with a status information management unit that manages port status for each VLAN and an SNMP processing unit that receives and sends status information on a port-by-port basis, reducing the number of SNMP messages required for network management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the standard MIB (dot1qVlanCurrentTable) manages VLAN status with one byte per port for each VLAN, then each VLAN status can be tracked individually, but the communication volume increases significantly when managing a large number of VLANs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the VLAN status management by introducing a port basis indicator that divides the management approach into port-specific segments. Instead of managing all VLANs uniformly across all ports, the system segments the data structure to include port basis indicators that identify which ports are active in each VLAN, thereby reducing the overall data volume while maintaining precise tracking of each VLAN's status on a per-port basis.
2Loss of information
If the NMS sends a Get Request message for each VLAN to obtain VLAN management data, then complete VLAN status information can be acquired, but the number of messages increases according to the number of VLANs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple VLAN status indicators into a single consolidated data structure that includes port basis indicators. Instead of requiring separate Get Request messages for each VLAN, the system combines the status information of multiple VLANs into one unified response that contains port basis indicators for all VLANs, thereby reducing the number of messages while ensuring complete information is transmitted.
3Adaptability or versatility
If 4094 VLANs are registered with the communication device, then comprehensive VLAN coverage is achieved, but the Get Request message must be processed 4094 times to obtain port status
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-organizing the VLAN status data structure to include port basis indicators that are ready for efficient retrieval. Instead of processing Get Request messages sequentially for each VLAN, the system preliminarily structures the data so that port status information for all VLANs can be obtained in a single message exchange, significantly reducing the time required to acquire status information while maintaining the capacity to handle 4094 VLANs.
Data Source
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AI summary
A communication device includes a communication unit that has a plurality of ports and relays data in accordance with a setting status of a plurality of VLANs; a status information management unit that manages, for each of the ports, status information that indicates whether or not the port is currently used by each of the VLANs; and an SNMP processing unit that receives a request, on a port-by-port basis, for the status information in accordance with an SNMP, obtains the status information, on a port-by-port basis, from the status information management unit, and sends the obtained status information to another device in accordance with the SNMP.