Field-Aware Virtual Connection Discovery in Distributed Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Customers face difficulties in accurately monitoring Virtual Connections in networks due to their distributed nature across various elements, leading to challenges in detecting issues and maintaining accurate maps of implemented connections.

Innovation Solution

A method for field-aware virtual connection discovery is introduced, which determines virtual connection domains and connectors, uses packet flooding with rewrite commands to distinguish between connections, and creates a virtual connection map, enabling accurate mapping and monitoring of Virtual Connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If Virtual Connections are implemented across distributed network elements, then network connectivity and service coverage are improved, but monitoring accuracy and connection mapping reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork connectivityVSAvoidmonitoring accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a centralized Virtual Connection Map (VCM) as an intermediary that consolidates connection information from distributed network elements. The VCM receives updates from Network Elements (NEs) about Virtual Connection Identifier (VCID) mappings and maintains a centralized view of all Virtual Connections, allowing accurate monitoring without requiring direct observation at each distributed element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where Network Elements continuously report VCID mapping information to the centralized VCM. This feedback loop ensures the centralized map remains synchronized with the actual distributed connection state, enabling accurate monitoring while maintaining network connectivity across distributed elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If distributed network elements are used to implement Virtual Connections, then network flexibility and service coverage are improved, but detection of connection issues and maintenance of accurate maps become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork flexibilityVSAvoidconnection issue detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The centralized VCM acts as an intermediary that aggregates connection status information from all distributed Network Elements. By consolidating VCID mapping data and connection state information in one location, the system simplifies the detection of connection issues without reducing network flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Network Elements provide continuous feedback about their local connection state and VCID mappings to the centralized VCM. This enables centralized monitoring and detection of connection issues while maintaining the distributed architecture that provides network flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If centralized Virtual Connection Map is implemented, then monitoring accuracy and connection mapping reliability are improved, but system complexity and information processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential VCID mapping information and connection state data from the complex distributed network elements and stores it in a simplified centralized VCM. This extraction approach maintains monitoring accuracy while reducing the complexity burden by separating the information consolidation function from the distributed network elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Measurement precision

If packet flooding with rewrite commands is used to discover Virtual Connections, then connection identification precision is improved, but network traffic overhead and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection identification precisionVSAvoidnetwork traffic overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary configuration by establishing VCID mappings at Network Elements before actual Virtual Connection traffic flows. This preliminary action allows the centralized VCM to have advance knowledge of connection mappings, enabling accurate identification without requiring extensive packet flooding during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9356803B2Field aware virtual connection discovery

Publication Date: 2016.05.31 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

A method for field aware virtual connection discovery is described. In an embodiment, a set of virtual connection domains and a set of virtual connection connectors are determined from a network. Each of the virtual connection connectors defines a connection between two or more of the virtual connection domains. An initial virtual connection connector is selected and added to a virtual connection map. A packet is generated which represents the selected virtual connection connector. The packet is flooded through the virtual connection domains and virtual connection connectors. Each virtual connection domain or virtual connection connector which the packet passes through is added to the virtual connection map. After the flooding is complete, the virtual connection map is displayed.