Transfer Apparatus Dynamic Path Control for Cluster Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Centralized control techniques in communication networks face issues with single points of failure and lack of bypass path selection, leading to communication interruptions when failures occur in switch clusters, particularly due to static destination port configurations and absence of dynamic path control.

Innovation Solution

A transfer apparatus and system that separates path control packets for inside and outside the switch cluster, enabling dynamic path control and bypass path generation when failures occur, using a separation unit and internal path control unit to manage communications independently within the cluster and with a centralized control apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If centralized control is implemented using a single control apparatus, then control efficiency is improved, but single point of failure risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol efficiencyVSAvoidsingle point of failure risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the centralized control function into multiple control apparatuses (first control apparatus and second control apparatus). Each control apparatus manages a subset of transfer apparatuses, eliminating the single point of failure while maintaining centralized control efficiency through distributed management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent assigns different management responsibilities to different control apparatuses. The first control apparatus manages transfer apparatuses connected via first communication paths, while the second control apparatus manages transfer apparatuses connected via second communication paths. This local differentiation improves reliability by isolating failures to specific management domains.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If static destination port configuration is used, then configuration simplicity is improved, but adaptability to failures deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to failures

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic path selection where transfer apparatuses can switch between first communication paths and second communication paths based on failure detection. The system transitions from static destination port configuration to dynamic path routing, allowing automatic adaptation to failures while maintaining operational simplicity through automated failure detection and path switching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates failure detection mechanisms that provide feedback to the transfer apparatuses. When a failure is detected on the first communication path, the system receives feedback and automatically switches to the second communication path, enabling adaptive response to failures while keeping the configuration management simple through automated feedback-driven path selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If traffic is concentrated on a single path, then path management is simplified, but communication reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepath management complexityVSAvoidcommunication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments traffic into two separate communication paths: first communication paths and second communication paths. Transfer apparatuses can be managed through either path, distributing traffic load and providing redundancy. This segmentation maintains simple path management through unified control while improving reliability through path diversity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces control apparatuses as intermediaries that manage multiple communication paths. The first control apparatus and second control apparatus act as mediators that can route traffic through different paths, simplifying path management while ensuring communication reliability through alternative routing capabilities when primary paths fail.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11799801B2Transfer device, transfer system, transfer method, and program

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP

AI summary

Transfer apparatuses perform communications for path control with a centralized control apparatus that performs centralized control from the outside of a switch cluster including the group of transfer apparatuses, through a path similar to D-plane (main signal). A packet flow controller serving as a separation unit that separates a packet for the inside of the cluster and a packet for the outside of the cluster transmitted through the similar path from each other, and an internal route engine that performs path control of obtaining a path for freely passing through a plurality of paths in the cluster are provided. The packet flow controller separates a path control packet for the inside of the cluster, and the engine performs, when a failure to communicate the path control packet for the inside thus separated occurs, path control of generating a path that bypasses a path with the failure.