Stacking Communication Device Frame Forwarding Path Table
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current stacking communication systems face complexity and resource consumption due to the need for standard Ethernet frames and spanning tree protocols, which complicate frame forwarding and increase calculation resources.
Innovation Solution
A communication device and method that utilize a path table to determine the forwarding of frames through multiple communication ports, allowing for non-standard frame formats and operation items, such as semaphore operations, to efficiently manage resource access within a stacking communication system without relying on spanning tree protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If standard Ethernet network frame format is used for communication between devices in stacking network system, then communication compatibility is improved, but frame forwarding complexity increases due to complete communication protocol layer requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication frame into two distinct types: standard Ethernet frames for external communication and simplified internal frames for stacking network communication. This segmentation allows the system to use different frame formats for different communication scenarios, reducing the complexity of frame forwarding within the stacking network while maintaining compatibility with standard Ethernet for external communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by using simplified non-standard frames specifically for internal stacking network communication, while maintaining standard Ethernet frames for external communication. This localized optimization reduces protocol overhead and forwarding complexity only where needed (internal stacking communication) without affecting external communication compatibility.
2Reliability
If spanning tree protocol is used to prevent network loops in stacking system, then network loop prevention is improved, but calculation resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the spanning tree protocol from the stacking network system by implementing a simplified internal frame forwarding mechanism that does not require complex loop detection and prevention algorithms. The physical ring topology is maintained for redundancy, but the complex STP calculation overhead is eliminated through simpler forwarding rules based on internal frame headers.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex protocols to prevent loops, the patent inverts the approach by designing a simplified forwarding mechanism that naturally avoids loops through deterministic forwarding rules. The system accepts the physical ring topology and uses simple forwarding decisions based on internal frame information rather than attempting to dynamically calculate and prevent loops through complex protocols.
3Reliability
If standard Ethernet frame with minimum length of 64 bytes is used, then frame validity is improved, but communication efficiency decreases due to protocol overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using simplified frame formats with reduced minimum length requirements specifically for internal stacking network communication. These internal frames contain only essential information (device identifiers, operation items) without the overhead of standard Ethernet headers and minimum length requirements, thereby improving communication efficiency within the stacking network while maintaining frame validity through appropriate error checking mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a communication device applicable to a stacking communication system. The communication device comprises: a plurality of communication ports operable to constitute a part of an internal transmission path of the stacking communication system; a storage unit operable to store a reference path table; and a controller operable to receive a frame and then determine whether the frame should be forwarded, wherein if the frame should be forwarded, the controller is operable to choose one among the communication ports according to the reference path table and the content of the frame to forward the frame or a frame derived therefrom to the internal transmission path of the stacking communication system.