Virtual Cable Port Testing via Tagged Packet Loopback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Testing multiple ports of a network element with multiple ports is resource-intensive and difficult due to the need for physical connections and remote testing challenges, leading to suboptimal testing processes.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for communicating packets between ports of a network element without physical connections, using a MUX port connected to testing equipment to generate packets with tags for vCable ports, allowing loopback and tunnel mechanisms to facilitate internal communication and remote testing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If physical cables and testing equipment are used to test each port of a network element, then testing accuracy and reliability are improved, but resource requirements and device complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting reliabilityVSAvoidtesting equipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates virtual copies of physical cable connections through software-defined networking. Virtual cables are established between network element ports and testing equipment ports using virtual switching and routing protocols, allowing testing to proceed without physical cable connections while maintaining testing reliability through protocol-level simulation of physical connectivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a virtual switching fabric as an intermediary layer between network element ports and testing equipment. This virtual switching fabric mediates communication by routing packets between ports through logical connections rather than physical cables, reducing the need for physical testing equipment while maintaining connection reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If physical cables are used to connect testing equipment to each port, then connection stability is improved, but ease of operation and remote testing capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidremote testing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical physical cable connection system with a software-based virtual connection system. Instead of physically plugging and unplugging cables to establish connections, the system uses virtual cable provisioning through software commands, enabling remote testing operations while maintaining connection stability through protocol-level connection management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal virtual cable interface that can be established between any network element port and any testing equipment port through software configuration. This universal interface allows a single testing equipment to remotely test multiple ports without requiring physical reconfiguration, improving both ease of operation and remote testing capability while maintaining connection stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If multiple physical testing components and equipment are used to test multiple ports, then testing completeness is improved, but loss of substance and resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting completenessVSAvoidresource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple physical testing equipment instances into a single virtual testing system. By consolidating testing resources into a unified virtual environment, the system can test multiple ports simultaneously or sequentially using shared testing components, reducing resource consumption while maintaining testing completeness through virtual parallelization and resource allocation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10778593B2Virtual cable

Publication Date: 2020.09.15 ARISTA NETWORKS INC

AI summary

Embodiments for communicating packets with a first port of a network element without the first port being communicatively coupled to another device (e.g., testing equipment) are described. In one embodiment, a packet is generated by testing equipment that is communicatively coupled to a second port of the network element. The packet includes a tag that uniquely identifies the first port. The network element communicates the packet from the second port to the first port based on the tag. The network element also removes the tag from the packet. The removal can occur before the packet is received at the first port or after the packet is received at an ingress module of the first port. In response to the removal of the tag, the network element enters the first port into a loopback mode that is internal to the first port.