Virtual Interface Device for Ethernet VLAN Service Convergence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for accessing and transmitting Ethernet data frames in SDH/SONET networks are limited in their ability to provide both VLAN and Ethernet private line services, suffer from address space conflicts, and require additional devices to support multiple service types and increased capacity, leading to inefficiencies and bandwidth waste.
Innovation Solution
A virtual bridge device and method that expands UNIs and NNIs into multiple virtual interfaces, allowing for different services and users, using a data converting device with a virtual interface processing unit, rule database, and control interface to classify and process data frames according to specific rules, enabling flexible processing flows and support for multiple service types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If data mapping/demapping scheme is used, then Ethernet private line service can be provided, but the device functionality is simple and cannot provide VLAN service
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling a single device to perform multiple functions: it can provide both Ethernet private line services and VLAN services through the same hardware infrastructure. The virtual bridge device and virtual interface device work together to handle different service types, eliminating the need for separate dedicated devices for each service type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the device functionality into distinct modules: a virtual bridge device for VLAN handling and a virtual interface device for service access. This segmentation allows each module to specialize in specific tasks while working together to provide comprehensive service support, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If bridge scheme is used, then VLAN service can be provided, but address space conflicts occur and integral VLAN service cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the address space management by introducing virtual bridge instances that can be assigned to different VLANs. Each virtual bridge instance operates with its own address space context, preventing conflicts between different VLANs while maintaining reliable address space isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual interface device acts as an intermediary between physical interfaces and the virtual bridge device. It handles address space mapping and translation, ensuring that address conflicts are resolved before reaching the bridge processing logic, thereby maintaining reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional devices are added to support multiple service types and increased capacity, then service capability is improved, but bandwidth waste and inefficiency occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple service handling capabilities into a single integrated device. The virtual bridge device and virtual interface device work together to handle both Ethernet private line services and VLAN services through shared hardware resources, eliminating the bandwidth waste associated with multiple separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device provides universal service handling capabilities, allowing a single device to adapt to different service types and capacity requirements. This multi-functionality improves bandwidth utilization by eliminating idle resources that would exist in dedicated single-function devices.
4Productivity
If UNI or NNI is expanded to multiple virtual interfaces, then access capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the interface functionality by creating virtual interfaces that are logically separated but physically implemented on shared hardware. This segmentation allows multiple virtual interfaces to operate independently with distinct processing flows while utilizing common physical resources, improving access capability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses virtualization to create copies of interface functionality rather than physical copies. Multiple virtual interfaces are instantiated as software abstractions that share underlying hardware resources, enabling expanded access capability while avoiding the complexity of managing multiple physical interface cards.
Data Source
AI summary
A system accessing and transmitting different data frames in a digital transmission network for accessing and transmitting different data frames, including: at least a user-network interface (UNI), which is used to couple with the user's network; at least a network-network interface (NNI), which is used to couple with the digital transmission network to transfer data; a data converting device, which is coupled with the UNIs and the NNIs to convert data formats between the UNIs, data formats between the NNIs, or data formats between the NNIs and the UNIs; wherein the data converting device includes a virtual interface device, the virtual interface device includes: at least two device interfaces, a virtual interface processing unit, a rule database, a control interface unit and an inter-device interface, so as to improve access ability of the device.