Automated Switchover Timer Tuning for Emergency Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for automated switchover timer tuning in Next Generation Emergency Systems (NG911/NG112) are not dynamic and cannot adapt to network conditions, leading to potential split-brain conditions and increased switchover times, which are critical in emergency systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for automated switchover timer tuning that uses Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) OPTIONS messages to dynamically adjust switchover timer values based on network conditions, ensuring a maximum silence/unattended call duration of 4 seconds during switchover.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If switchover timer values are reduced to achieve faster failover, then switchover time is improved, but network instability and split-brain conditions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic timer adjustment where switchover timer values are not fixed but adapt based on current network conditions. The system continuously monitors network health metrics and automatically adjusts timer values to match actual network performance, allowing fast switchover when network is stable and preventing premature failover when network is degraded.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor network conditions and use this information to adjust switchover timer values. By continuously gathering data on network performance and feeding this back into the timer adjustment logic, the system can make informed decisions about optimal timer values, preventing both premature and delayed switchover events.
2Reliability
If manual timer configuration is used to prevent split-brain conditions, then reliability is improved, but adaptability to changing network conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-configuration by automatically adjusting switchover timer values based on monitored network conditions. Rather than requiring manual administrator intervention, the system autonomously adapts timer settings to current network performance, preventing split-brain conditions while maintaining adaptability to changing network environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes timer parameters based on network conditions. The system monitors various network metrics and adjusts switchover timer values accordingly, transforming static manual configuration into dynamic adaptive parameter adjustment that maintains both reliability and adaptability.
3Speed
If switchover timers are set to minimum values for emergency systems, then response time is improved, but false positives and unnecessary switchovers increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary network health assessments before triggering switchover events. By monitoring network conditions and evaluating health metrics in advance, the system can distinguish between temporary network fluctuations and genuine failure conditions, preventing false positives while maintaining fast response to actual emergencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from continuous network monitoring to validate whether switchover conditions are genuine or false positives. By analyzing network health trends and patterns before and during potential failover events, the system can confirm legitimate failures and suppress unnecessary switchovers, maintaining both speed and accuracy.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a system for automated switchover timer's tuning on network systems or Next Generation Emergency Systems, wherein the sending, by a master node, a heartbeat and/or ARP ping to one or more backup nodes and/or a surveillance unit according to preconfigured switchover timer values to check if the master node is still active. Further, sending, by the one or more backup nodes and/or a surveillance unit, an additional first Session Initiation Protocol, SIP, OPTION message to the master node after receiving the heartbeat and/or the ARP ping or if the heartbeat and/or ARP ping fails to be received according to the switchover timer values. Performing, by an administrator or an administrative unit of the network, a switchover or failover to a backup node in case the first SIP OPTION message is not answered with "200ok" by the master node according to a preconfigured time value.