Tag Group Table for MLAG Interface List Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-chassis link aggregation (MLAG) networks, when one or more links fail, updating the address table to switch to backup links is time-consuming, leading to potential data loss due to the large number of entries that need to be inspected and updated, which can take several seconds, causing network service disruptions.
Innovation Solution
The network element uses a tag group table to store and update MLAG interfaces, allowing for efficient updating of the interface list by referencing a tag group for each address, reducing the need to inspect and update each entry in the address table, thereby minimizing downtime during failover.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the network element inspects and updates each entry in the address table to switch to backup links during MLAG failover, then the address table can be updated to reflect current MLAG interfaces, but the updating process takes several seconds causing data loss and network service disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the address table update process by introducing a separate tag group table that stores MLAG interface information independently from address entries. Instead of updating each address table entry individually, the system updates only the relevant tag group entries, thereby segmenting the large-scale update into smaller, faster operations that reduce overall update time while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring backup MLAG interfaces and their associated tag groups before failover occurs. When a link failure is detected, the system can immediately switch to pre-prepared backup interfaces stored in the tag group table, eliminating the need to inspect and update each address table entry during the failover event itself, thus reducing update time while ensuring service continuity.
2Measurement precision
If the network element stores detailed MLAG interface information in each address table entry, then forwarding decisions can be made accurately, but the complexity of managing and updating hundreds of thousands or millions of address entries increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the storage of MLAG interface information from individual address table entries into a separate tag group table. Address table entries now contain only references to tag groups rather than complete interface lists. This merging reduces the complexity of managing millions of address entries while maintaining forwarding accuracy through the reference mechanism that links addresses to their associated MLAG interfaces via tag groups.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces tag groups as an intermediary layer between address table entries and MLAG interface information. Instead of directly storing interface details in each address entry, the system uses tag group references as intermediaries. This intermediary structure simplifies address table management by removing detailed interface data from millions of address entries while preserving the ability to make accurate forwarding decisions through the reference chain from address to tag group to interface.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus of a network element that updates an interface list of a multi-link group of a network element is described. In an exemplary embodiment, a network element receives an indication that the interface list for the multi-link group on a network element is to change. In addition, the interface list includes a first set of interfaces. The network element further includes an address table having a plurality of address entries, where each of the plurality of address entries includes an address, a multi-link nexthop, and a tag group reference. The tag group reference references an entry in a tag group table, where a tag group entry includes a tag group identifier and a tag group set of interfaces. The network element further receives a second set of interfaces. The network element additionally updates the interface list for the tag group entry to include a second set of interfaces. Furthermore, the network element transmits data with the multi-link group using the second set of interfaces.