Virtual Forwarding Device Alternate Path Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional network devices often require more physical ports than available, leading to reduced service or costly upgrades, due to a fixed data rate in network ports which cannot accommodate varying data rates from different sources efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A virtual network is formed using fiber optic cables with multiple physical fibers, allowing data frames to be passed at different rates across these fibers, and a virtual forwarding device that forwards frames via an alternate path when the primary path is congested, using encapsulated frames and identifiers to determine next hop devices and alternate paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional network devices use fixed data rate ports, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but adaptability deteriorates and productivity is limited due to inability to accommodate varying data rates
Solution Approach 1:
The network device is segmented into multiple independent network ports, each capable of operating at different fixed data rates (e.g., 10/100/1000 Mbps). This segmentation allows each port to be independently configured for specific data rate requirements, providing adaptability without requiring complex dynamic adjustment mechanisms across the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The network device is designed with multi-functional network ports that can serve multiple data rate standards (10 Mbps, 100 Mbps, 1000 Mbps) simultaneously. Each port can be configured to handle different data rates, making the device universally applicable to various network scenarios without requiring additional specialized hardware for each data rate.
2Productivity
If more physical ports are added to accommodate increasing data transmission needs, then adaptability and productivity are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network device implements dynamic data rate adjustment capabilities, allowing each network port to adapt its operating speed based on real-time transmission needs. This dynamic configuration enables the device to optimize data transmission capacity by adjusting data rates (e.g., switching between 10, 100, or 1000 Mbps) without adding physical ports, thereby maintaining productivity while reducing device complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed data rate ports are used, then ease of manufacture and device complexity are reduced, but adaptability to varying data rates deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The network device utilizes parameter changes by allowing each network port to be configured with different operating data rates (10 Mbps, 100 Mbps, 1000 Mbps). This parameter adjustment capability is achieved through software configuration and negotiation protocols, enabling the device to adapt to varying data rate requirements without changing the physical hardware structure, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while improving adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A virtual forwarding device is described that includes a virtual port which receives a second encapsulated frame from a receive physical port and determines whether a current device is a last hop device. When the current device is not the last hop device, the virtual port unpacks the second encapsulated frame to extract a first encapsulated frame. The virtual port extracts an identifier of a virtual exit device from the first encapsulated frame and determines a next hop device and an alternate hop device from the identifier. When a transmit physical port coupled to the next hop device can accept frames for forwarding, the virtual port encapsulates the first encapsulated frame to form a third encapsulated frame and forwards the third encapsulated frame to the transmit physical port. Else, the virtual port determines whether a transmit physical port coupled to the alternate hop device can accept frames for forwarding.