Switch Aggregated Link Construction via Protocol Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network connection technologies face challenges in establishing aggregated links between devices from different manufacturers due to protocol compatibility issues, limiting users to purchasing products from a single manufacturer to avoid incompatible protocols.
Innovation Solution
A switch with multiple ports supporting different connection protocols, equipped with a sub-aggregated link constructing unit and a control unit, allows for the formation of an aggregated link by aggregating ports running the same protocol into sub-aggregated links, enabling connection with peer devices from various manufacturers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If aggregated link technology is used to connect peer devices from different manufacturers, then protocol compatibility and network flexibility are improved, but device complexity increases due to supporting multiple protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the aggregated link into multiple sub-aggregated links, where each sub-aggregated link is dedicated to a specific protocol type. This segmentation allows the switch to handle different protocols independently through separate sub-aggregated links (e.g., first sub-aggregated link for protocol A, second sub-aggregated link for protocol B), thereby supporting multi-vendor devices without requiring the entire aggregated link to support all protocols simultaneously. This resolves the contradiction by enabling protocol compatibility through structured division while managing device complexity through organized protocol handling.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a switch supports multiple connection protocols to connect with peer devices from various manufacturers, then adaptability is improved, but the complexity of protocol management and link construction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the aggregated link into multiple sub-aggregated links based on protocol types. Each sub-aggregated link is constructed using ports that run the same protocol, creating protocol-specific connection groups. This segmentation simplifies protocol management by allowing independent configuration, monitoring, and maintenance of each protocol type without affecting others, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and management complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The switch acts as an intermediary device that mediates between peer devices running different protocols. By introducing the sub-aggregated link structure as an intermediate layer, the switch can translate and manage protocol-specific communications internally while presenting a unified aggregated link interface externally. This intermediary approach enables the switch to handle multiple protocols without requiring peer devices to understand or manage the complexity of protocol compatibility.
3Reliability
If traditional aggregated link technology requires synchronized protocols across all peer devices, then device compatibility is ensured, but user flexibility and network implementation simplicity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the aggregated link into protocol-specific sub-aggregated links, allowing each sub-aggregated link to maintain protocol synchronization requirements independently. This means that while devices within the same sub-aggregated link must use the same protocol (ensuring compatibility), different sub-aggregated links can use different protocols (enabling flexibility). This resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability through protocol synchronization within segments while improving ease of operation by allowing heterogeneous protocol support across the overall aggregated link.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making each sub-aggregated link have specialized protocol characteristics tailored to its specific protocol type. Each sub-aggregated link is optimized for its designated protocol with appropriate configuration and management settings, rather than requiring all links to use a uniform protocol approach. This allows the system to maintain high reliability for protocol-specific communications while simplifying network implementation by allowing flexible protocol selection for different device groups.
Data Source
AI summary
A switch, a device and a method for constructing an aggregated link are provided. A switch for constructing an aggregated link with multiple peer devices is provided. The switch includes multiple ports supporting different connection protocols, with each port being used for connecting to a peer device. The switch further includes a sub-aggregated link constructing unit used for aggregating one or more ports running the same protocol in the switch into a sub-aggregated link, and a control unit used for forming an aggregated link from all the sub-aggregated links.