Switch Fabric Traffic Partitioning for Network Node Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional communications network nodes operate at reduced capacity due to protection mechanisms that keep standby components idle, limiting efficiency and failing to effectively manage traffic flows between working and protection paths, especially at the physical-layer switching level.
Innovation Solution
The method partitions traffic into Committed Information Rate (CIR) and Extra Information Rate (EIR) components, routing CIR through the working switch fabric card and EIR through the protection card, using physical-layer parameters to separate and manage traffic without relying on packet header content, allowing for efficient utilization of network capacity and seamless failover.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If protection mechanisms keep standby components idle to ensure reliability, then system reliability is improved, but network capacity utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the principle of continuity of useful action by enabling the protection switch fabric card to continuously forward extra traffic (EIR) even during normal operation. Instead of keeping the protection card completely idle, the system maintains continuous useful action on the protection path by routing excess traffic through it, thereby improving capacity utilization while preserving reliability benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by making the protection switch fabric card multi-functional: it serves both as a standby protection path for reliability and as an active forwarding path for extra traffic during normal operation. This dual function allows the same hardware to fulfill multiple roles, resolving the contradiction between reliability and capacity utilization.
2Reliability
If traffic is routed through working path only during normal operation, then quality of service is maintained, but network efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing traffic into two categories: Committed Information Rate (CIR) traffic that requires guaranteed quality of service and is routed through the working path, and Extra Information Rate (EIR) traffic that can tolerate variable service quality and is routed through the protection path. This segmentation allows both quality of service maintenance and improved network efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by applying different quality of service characteristics to different traffic segments. CIR traffic receives guaranteed service quality through the working path, while EIR traffic accepts best-effort service through the protection path. This local differentiation of service quality allows the system to maintain overall quality standards while utilizing full network capacity.
3Device complexity
If protection elements are provided in m:n scheme, then device complexity is reduced, but traffic management capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the protection switch fabric card with forwarding capabilities and connection state synchronization before any failure occurs. The system performs preliminary setup of the protection path, including pre-establishing routing tables and synchronizing connection states, so that when traffic needs to be switched, the transition is seamless. This preliminary preparation enables simple m:n protection schemes to maintain full traffic management capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of forwarding traffic through a network node including an ingress IO card, an egress IO card, and a pair of parallel switch fabric cards. One of the switch fabric cards is designated as a working switch fabric card, and the other one of the switch fabric cards is designated as a protection switch fabric card. In the ingress IO card, the traffic flow is divided into a committed information rate (CIR) component and an extra information rate (EIR) signal. Under a normal operating condition of the node, the ingress IO card forwards the CIR traffic component through the working switch fabric card, and forwards the EIR traffic component through the protection switch fabric card. Upon detection of a failure impacting the working switch fabric card, the ingress IO card drops the EIR traffic component and forwards the CIR traffic component through the protection switch fabric card.