Source Address Filtering for True Ethernet Ring Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ethernet networks are limited by their topology, as true ring configurations are forbidden due to potential data packet duplication, leading to bandwidth degradation, and existing solutions like daisy chain configurations lack redundancy, making them unsuitable for applications requiring simplified cabling and redundancy.
Innovation Solution
Implementing source address filtering and tag VLAN filtering methods in network devices to enable true Ethernet ring networks, where all links are active paths, preventing data packets from circulating endlessly and allowing for redundancy by configuring data traffic to flow in a single direction around the ring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a true ring configuration is implemented in Ethernet network, then redundancy and simplified cabling are improved, but data packets may be duplicated and forwarded indefinitely causing bandwidth degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic circulating packets from the network by implementing source address filtering that identifies and removes packets that have completed a full loop. The filtering mechanism detects when a packet's source address matches the address of the current switching device, indicating the packet has circled the ring, and terminates such packets to prevent infinite circulation while maintaining the true ring topology.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary filtering mechanism at each switching device that mediates packet forwarding decisions. The filter acts as an intermediary between packet reception and forwarding, intercepting packets that would otherwise circulate indefinitely and selectively blocking them based on source address matching, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining ring topology and preventing bandwidth degradation.
2Ease of manufacture
If a daisy chain configuration is used in Ethernet network, then implementation simplicity is improved, but redundancy is lost as all downstream devices fail when one device fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into a true ring topology where each device connects to two neighbors, creating multiple independent paths between any two points. This segmentation of the network structure allows traffic to be routed through alternative paths when a device fails, providing redundancy while maintaining the simplicity of serial connections characteristic of daisy chain configurations.
3Reliability
If a loop is created with blocked link for redundancy in Ethernet network, then redundancy is improved, but the configuration is not a true ring network as the loop is broken and active paths do not form a complete loop
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic packet filtering that adapts to the true ring topology by continuously monitoring source addresses of circulating packets. Unlike static blocked links, the filtering mechanism dynamically identifies and terminates only those packets that have completed a full circulation, allowing all links to remain active and form a complete loop while still providing redundancy through intelligent packet management rather than physical or logical link blocking.
Data Source
AI summary
A method in a network device implements source address filtering, including gateway address filtering, to enable network devices to be configured in a true Ethernet ring network. By implementing source address filtering or source address filtering with gateway address filtering, a true ring network can be formed using Ethernet protocols where all the links between the network devices in the ring are active paths while avoiding data packets being switched endlessly around the ring. In one embodiment, a data packet in the true ring network is terminated when the source address of the data packet matches the local address of the network device. In another embodiment, a data packet in the true ring network is terminated when the source address of the data packet matches the address of the gateway switch connected to the network device.