Network Switch Automatic Master Election via Local Control Port
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing a stack of network switches is challenging due to the difficulty in determining which switch is designated as the master, especially when configuring multiple switches, as conventional methods require manual designation or complex election protocols, and existing approaches often necessitate physical presence or manual intervention.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a network switch apparatus with a controller that can determine its state (master or slave) through an election process among switches, allowing control and configuration data to be communicated through any network I/O port, enabling automatic master switch designation and configuration without requiring knowledge of the master switch's identity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual designation or complex election protocols are used to determine the master switch, then the master switch can be identified, but the configuration process becomes more complex and requires manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-identification of the master switch through automatic election protocols. Each switch in the stack autonomously participates in the election process and determines its own role without requiring manual configuration or external intervention, thereby simplifying the overall configuration process while ensuring accurate master switch identification
Solution Approach 2:
The master switch is designated through an automatic election process that occurs during system initialization before any configuration tasks are performed. This preliminary automatic designation eliminates the need for manual master switch identification later in the configuration process
2Ease of manufacture
If configuration is performed on the master switch only, then configuration can be centralized, but physical presence or manual intervention is required to identify and access the master switch
Solution Approach 1:
A distributed control mechanism acts as an intermediary between the terminal device and the master switch. When a configuration command is sent to any switch in the stack, this intermediary mechanism automatically routes the command to the master switch, allowing configuration to be performed through any switch without requiring physical presence or manual identification of the master switch
Solution Approach 2:
Each switch in the stack is equipped with the capability to receive and forward configuration commands, making all switches universally accessible for configuration purposes. While only the master switch actually processes configuration changes, any switch can serve as an access point, eliminating the need to specifically identify or physically access the master switch
3Quantity of substance
If multiple switches are stacked to provide more network I/O ports, then port capacity increases, but the labor and complexity of programming each switch individually increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the configuration management of multiple stacked switches into a single unified process. By implementing a distributed control mechanism where configuration commands sent to any switch are automatically routed to the master switch, the system allows single-point configuration for the entire stack, dramatically improving configuration efficiency while supporting an arbitrary number of stacked switches
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the control function by designating one switch as the master responsible for processing configuration commands, while other switches serve as slaves that forward commands to the master. This segmentation allows configuration to be performed through any switch in the stack without requiring individual programming of each switch, thereby improving productivity as the stack size increases
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, systems, methods, algorithms, and software for distributed control and/or configuration of network switching devices. The apparatus generally comprises a plurality of network I/O ports, a local control I/O port, and a controller configured to, when the apparatus is a master, receive control input data from at least one of the network I/O ports, process the control input data, and provide control output data to at least one of the network I/O ports, and when the apparatus is a slave, receive the control input data from the local control I/O port, provide the control input data to at least one of the network I/O ports, receive the control output data from at least one of the network I/O ports, and provide the control output data to the local control I/O port. The present disclosure advantageously enables control and/or configuration of a stack of network switch devices by communicating through a local control port of at least one of the devices in the stack.