Redundant Switch Fabric Controller Module Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional redundant switch fabric and controller modules require synchronization of switch configuration information between working and standby modules, leading to design complexity and risk of traffic loss during failures, while also occupying excessive space with separate modules.
Innovation Solution
Combining switching and control functions on a single module, distributing these functions across two modules where the primary module contains active control and secondary module contains active switching, allowing seamless failover without synchronization, thus reducing module count and maintaining redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate working and standby modules are used for switching and control functionality, then full redundancy is provided, but the number of replaceable modules increases occupying excessive space on the backplane
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines switching and control functionality into a single integrated module, eliminating the need for separate modules. The integrated module contains both the switch fabric and control components, reducing the total number of modules from four (in separate 1:1 protection) to two (in combined 1:1 protection), thereby freeing up backplane space while maintaining redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated module performs multiple functions (switching and control) within a single unit. The control component manages the switch fabric and provides redundancy capabilities, making the module universal rather than specialized for single function, thus reducing overall system complexity and space requirements.
2Area of stationary object
If combined switch fabric/controller modules are used, then space is reduced, but when one module fails it results in double failure losing both switching and control functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the redundancy functions across two separate integrated modules. Each module contains both switching and control functions, but they are distributed such that one module can fail independently without affecting the other. This segmentation allows the system to isolate failures and maintain operation on the surviving module.
3Loss of time
If standby control component is kept in-synch with working control component, then standby fabric can be rapidly configured after failure, but design complexity increases and risk of traffic loss occurs when working and standby become out of synch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the standby fabric with switch configuration information before failure occurs. The standby control component receives and stores configuration data from the working module in advance, so that when failure occurs, the standby fabric is already configured and ready for immediate activation, eliminating configuration time delays.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention combines switching and control functions on a single module while avoiding requirements to synchronize working and standby switch configuration information. The present invention eliminates the idea of redundant working and standby control/switching modules and instead, distributes the switching/control functions across two (primary and secondary) modules, where in the nominal (not failed) case the primary module contains the active control component and the secondary module contains the active switching component. In the failed case, both the switching and control functions reside on one module.