Virtual Chain Networks for Seamless Ring Topology Failover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packet-switched communication systems face challenges in maintaining seamless and uninterrupted communication when an active link fails, particularly in real-time traffic, due to convergence delays and increased costs associated with establishing redundant connections.
Innovation Solution
Configuring at least two independent virtual chain networks within a physical ring network, where network nodes belong to both virtual chain networks with one endpoint in the same node and the other endpoint in different nodes, providing redundancy without the need for additional physical networks and minimizing convergence time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spanning tree protocol or link state routing protocol is used to provide fault tolerance, then reliability is improved, but loss of time occurs due to convergence delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-establishes a second virtual network as a backup before any link failure occurs. This second virtual network is configured in advance with alternative paths, so when a link failure is detected, the system can immediately switch to the pre-configured backup network without needing to perform convergence calculations during the failure event, thus eliminating convergence delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic switching between the first virtual network and the second virtual network based on link status. When a link failure is detected, the system dynamically transitions from the primary virtual network to the backup virtual network, maintaining continuous communication without interruption. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the network topology flexible rather than static.
2Reliability
If parallel virtual circuits are established for fault tolerance, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the virtual network topology as a backup. The second virtual network is essentially a copied version of the first, with the same structure and endpoints but using alternative physical links. This copying approach provides fault tolerance while maintaining simplicity, as the backup network follows the same configuration patterns as the primary network, making it easier to manage and understand compared to completely independent redundant systems.
3Reliability
If separate physical network connections are established for redundancy, then reliability is improved, but loss of substance occurs due to increased costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple virtual networks onto a single physical network infrastructure. Instead of requiring separate physical networks for redundancy, the invention creates multiple virtual networks that share the same physical hardware resources. This consolidation provides fault tolerance through virtual network diversity while eliminating the need for duplicate physical infrastructure, thus reducing costs while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical network infrastructure is designed to serve multiple virtual networks simultaneously. The same physical links and nodes are universally used by both the first virtual network and the second virtual network, allowing the infrastructure to perform multiple functions. This multi-functionality enables cost-effective redundancy, as the physical resources are efficiently utilized across different virtual networks rather than requiring dedicated hardware for each network.
Data Source
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AI summary
Seamless and uninterrupted communication is obtained by configuring two independent virtual chain networks semi-statically within a physical ring network so that network nodes of the physical ring belong to both virtual chain networks, and the chain networks have at least one non-common end point, and by using both virtual networks to deliver the same traffic.