Virtual Bridge Address Space Segmentation for SDH VLAN Services
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for accessing and transmitting Ethernet data frames in SDH/SONET networks are limited in providing integral VLAN services, as they struggle with address space conflicts and cannot support both Ethernet private line and VLAN services simultaneously, leading to restricted access and convergence capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A virtual bridge device is introduced in the SDH/SONET network, equipped with a data converting device that includes a virtual bridge processing unit, database, and control interface, allowing dynamic establishment and deletion of virtual bridges, which processes data frames by extracting and modifying type numbers, addresses, and VLAN information to facilitate multicasting and broadcasting, thereby overcoming address space limitations and enabling simultaneous support for multiple services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional bridge device is used to access Ethernet data frames in SDH/SONET network, then the device can forward data frames based on address information, but the device cannot provide integral VLAN service and cannot isolate address space conflicts among multiple subscribers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the address space into multiple independent virtual bridge instances, each with its own address space. This segmentation allows different subscribers to have isolated address spaces while sharing the same physical bridge device, enabling integral VLAN service without address space conflicts among multiple subscribers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of bridge functionality through software-defined virtual bridges. Each virtual bridge is an independent instance that can be dynamically created and configured, allowing multiple subscribers to have separate address spaces without requiring separate physical devices
2Adaptability or versatility
If a data mapping/demapping device is used, then the device can convert Ethernet data frames to synchronous digital data frames, but the device functionality is simple and can only provide Ethernet private line services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the bridge device universal by adding virtual bridge functionality that can handle multiple service types including Ethernet private line service, VLAN service, and routing service. The same physical device can now perform both data frame forwarding and virtual bridge operations through software configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces virtual bridges as intermediary software layers between the physical bridge device and the data frames. These virtual bridges act as mediators that can be dynamically configured to provide different service types without changing the underlying physical hardware
3Productivity
If multiple UNIs are mapped to mapping/demapping devices in a one to one way, then the device can support multiple subscribers, but the access capacity is limited and new devices must be added when UNIs are used up
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the UNI to virtual bridge mapping dynamic rather than static. Virtual bridges can be dynamically created, deleted, and reconfigured without requiring physical UNI changes. This allows the system to adapt to changing subscriber requirements and maximize access capacity by creating virtual bridges on demand
4Adaptability or versatility
If a physical bridge device is used, then the device has fixed address space, but the device cannot dynamically expand address space to support more subscribers or services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a virtual dimension to the physical bridge device by introducing software-defined virtual bridges. This dimensional transition from physical to virtual allows the system to expand address space dynamically without adding physical hardware, as virtual bridges can be instantiated on existing physical resources
Data Source
AI summary
A system accessing and transmitting different data frames in a digital transmission network, for accessing and transmitting different data frames, said system comprises: at least a user-network interface (UNI), which is used to couple with the subscriber's network; and/or at least a network-network interface (NNI), which is used to couple with said digital transmission network to transfer data; and a data converting device, coupled with said UNIs and said NNIs, which is used to convert data formats between said UNIs or data formats between said NNIs or data formats between said UNIs and said NNIs; said data converting device comprises a virtual bridge device and an interface device, said virtual bridge device switches data between said UNIs and said NNIs, and said virtual bridge device detects control messages, and transmits the control messages to control system of the device to process via the control interface unit; and data frames of message except control messages are switched, so as to overcome the limitation of address space of Ethernet data frames.