Switch Port Loop Detection Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current loop detection functions in network switch apparatuses, particularly those below the backbone network, often lead to communication disruptions and redundant traffic on the backbone network due to inadequate loop suppression, as they activate loop detection mechanisms that deactivate ports unnecessarily, affecting the entire network and causing communication halts during failures.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a switch apparatus with port identification settings that allow only high-order ports connected to the backbone network to receive loop detection frames, while low-order ports send these frames, thereby deactivating only the port closest to the loop occurrence, preventing the spread of loop failures across the network and maintaining communication between backbone and low-order networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If loop detection function is activated in switch apparatuses below backbone network, then loop failures can be detected, but communication is halted on backbone network and ports are deactivated unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into backbone network and low-order network, with different loop detection mechanisms applied to each segment. The backbone network uses STP for loop suppression, while the low-order network uses a simplified loop detection function that sends detection frames only to low-order ports, preventing unnecessary deactivation of backbone ports and maintaining communication continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different port types (high-order ports connected to backbone network and low-order ports connected to low-order network) are assigned different functions in the loop detection process. High-order ports do not send or receive loop detection frames, while low-order ports send and receive these frames. This local differentiation ensures that loop detection operations in the low-order network do not interfere with backbone network communication.
2Reliability
If high-order port receives loop detection frame and deactivates port, then loop is suppressed, but entire low-order network is decoupled from backbone network
Solution Approach 1:
The loop detection mechanism is segmented to operate only in the low-order network portion, with high-order ports excluded from sending and receiving loop detection frames. This segmentation ensures that when a loop is detected in the low-order network, only the affected low-order ports are deactivated, while high-order ports remain active to maintain connectivity between the low-order network and backbone network.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having high-order ports receive and respond to loop detection frames (which would cause unnecessary decoupling), the system inverts the approach by having only low-order ports send and receive these frames. This inversion prevents the propagation of loop detection traffic to the backbone network and avoids unnecessary deactivation of high-order ports, maintaining network connectivity.
3Reliability
If STP is activated in switch apparatuses, then loop suppression is achieved, but communication stability takes several tens of seconds during failures or additions
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of implementing full STP in all switch apparatuses (which causes delays of several tens of seconds during topology changes), the system applies a partial loop detection function only in low-order network switch apparatuses. This partial action provides sufficient loop suppression for the low-order network without triggering the extensive recalculation and port state changes of full STP, thereby reducing communication stabilization time during failures or additions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a simplified, lightweight loop detection mechanism in low-order network switch apparatuses that is less complex and faster to execute than full STP. This simpler mechanism provides adequate loop detection capability for the specific requirements of low-order networks without the overhead and delay of comprehensive STP processing, enabling faster recovery and stabilization.
Data Source
AI summary
A switch apparatus providing with a loop detection function sets a port identification to a port which activates the loop detection function, only receives the loop detection frame by a high-order port in the switch apparatus connected with a backbone network or a high-order switch apparatus on the basis of the port identification set previously, and controls an inactivation of a sending source low-order port that sent the loop detection frame, when the loop detection frame is received by the high-order port.