Switch Data Plane Connectivity During Bootloader Reloads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) devices lose connectivity during switch maintenance reloads, as the management plane has no control over PoE devices due to lack of end-to-end data connectivity, hindering critical applications like emergency phone calls and medical monitoring systems.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where the switch enters 'auto-pilot' mode, maintaining a data plane with previous forwarding configurations, disabling spanning tree protocol and TCP keepalive, and using a reload handler to store ASIC forwarding logic and retain physical layer states, ensuring limited data connectivity and power persistence during outages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the switch enters bootloader mode during maintenance reload, then the switch can be restarted or updated, but data connectivity is lost and PoE devices cannot communicate with the management plane
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the switch functionality into two independent parts: the management plane (CPU, software) and the data plane (ASIC, forwarding logic). During a reload, the management plane is restarted while the data plane continues to operate independently, maintaining data connectivity even when management control is temporarily lost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring the ASIC with forwarding logic and storing it in a database before the reload occurs. The reload handler is pre-programmed to maintain PHY states and prevent port deactivation, ensuring data connectivity is preserved from the moment the reload begins.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the management plane is restarted during maintenance reload, then system updates or recovery can occur, but control over PoE devices is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reload handler as an intermediary component that operates independently of the main management plane. This handler maintains control over PoE devices during reload by preserving PHY states and preventing port deactivation, serving as a bridge between the restarted management plane and the data plane.
3Reliability
If all switch components are restarted during maintenance reload, then complete system recovery is possible, but critical applications like emergency phone calls and medical monitoring cannot function
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining the data plane operational throughout the management plane restart process. The ASIC continues to forward data packets, PHY states are preserved, and PoE ports remain active, allowing critical applications to function without interruption during maintenance reload.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a system, apparatus, and method are described for providing limited data connectivity for devices connected to a switch when the switch enters bootloader mode. The switch has a central processing unit (CPU), the CPU comprising a reload handler and an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), the ASIC comprising ASIC forwarding logic. The ASIC is instructed, by the reload handler, to store an ASIC database, the ASIC database for storing the ASIC forwarding logic. The reload handler maintains a physical layer (PHY) state of the switch. Use of spanning tree protocol (STP) and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) keepalive is disabled in the switch. A state of stack hardware is retained in switch memory. New ports of the switch are prevented from becoming active, and the ASIC forwarding logic is, in response to receiving the instruction, stored in the ASIC database. Related systems, apparatuses, and methods are also described.