Switch Stack Identifier Assignment via Optical Module Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for assigning identifiers to switches in a stack system are inefficient, often resulting in randomly assigned identifiers that require manual modification, prolonging deployment configuration time and increasing the likelihood of user misoperation.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that detect a terminal identifier stored in an optical module connected to a stack port, allowing for automatic assignment of identifiers to multiple switches along a specified direction, provided that the terminal identifier value meets a specified condition, thereby streamlining the identifier assignment process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If stack identifiers are manually configured before building the stack, then identifier assignment accuracy is improved, but deployment configuration time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-writing terminal identifiers into the optical modules before the stack is built. The identifiers are embedded in advance in the optical cables, so when the stack is constructed, the switches can automatically read these pre-configured identifiers without requiring manual configuration, thus achieving both accuracy and time efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling switches to automatically detect and read terminal identifiers from optical modules themselves during stack construction. The system performs self-configuration through automatic detection and reading of pre-written identifiers, eliminating the need for manual identifier assignment and reducing deployment time while maintaining accuracy
2Loss of time
If stack identifiers are randomly assigned due to startup sequence, then deployment configuration time is reduced, but identifier assignment reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by pre-configuring terminal identifiers in optical modules before stack construction. This preliminary action ensures that when switches are randomly started, they will read consistent, predetermined identifiers from the optical cables rather than receiving random assignments, thus maintaining reliability while allowing flexible deployment timing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback by implementing a detection mechanism where switches automatically read terminal identifiers from optical modules during stack construction. This feedback loop ensures that even with random startup sequences, the system obtains consistent identifier assignments by reading the pre-written values from the optical cables, thereby maintaining reliability without requiring coordinated startup
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual modification of stack identifiers is required after stack construction, then identifier assignment flexibility is improved, but user misoperation probability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates manual modification needs by implementing self-service automatic detection and reading of terminal identifiers from optical modules during stack construction. The switches automatically obtain their identifiers from the pre-configured optical cables, removing the manual configuration step that causes user errors while maintaining the ability to change identifiers by simply replacing optical modules
Data Source
AI summary
A method for assigning identifiers to switches in a stack includes detecting, by a switch, a terminal identifier stored in an optical module that is connected to a stack port of the switch, where the optical module is at one end of an optical cable; and if a condition is met, assigning, by the switch, identifiers to N stackable switches along a direction starting from the switch to another switch connected to the stack port, where the condition includes: a value of the terminal identifier is a specified value, and N is greater than or equal to 2. According to this application, an efficiency of assigning the identifiers to the switches in a stack can be improved.