Virtual Interface Tunneling for Layer 3 Network Redundancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Split Multi-Link Trunk (SMLT)/Routed Split Multi-Link Trunk (RSMLT) technology is limited to physical interfaces, restricting its deployment across layer 3 networks and failing to provide network redundancy and high availability to remote devices without a direct physical connection.
Innovation Solution
The method extends SMLT/RSMLT technology by creating virtual interfaces and dynamic network tunnels across layer 3 networks, enabling network redundancy and high availability for remote devices through tunneling and virtual interface management, allowing for dynamic interface creation and failover mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If SMLT/RSMLT technology is limited to physical interfaces, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but network redundancy and high availability cannot be provided to remote devices without direct physical connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of physical interfaces by establishing virtual interfaces on remote network devices. These virtual interfaces replicate the functionality of physical interfaces, allowing remote devices to access network redundancy without requiring direct physical connections. The virtual interface acts as a copy that provides the same redundancy benefits as a physical interface would.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces virtual interfaces as intermediary elements between physical network devices and remote devices. These virtual interfaces mediate the connection, allowing redundancy information and traffic to be transmitted across Layer 3 boundaries without requiring direct physical infrastructure between all devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If virtual interfaces and tunnels are created across layer 3 networks, then network redundancy and high availability are provided to remote devices, but device complexity and configuration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic virtual interface creation and tunnel establishment that automatically adapts to network conditions. The system dynamically provisions virtual interfaces and tunnels as needed, rather than requiring static pre-configuration, which reduces configuration complexity while maintaining adaptability across Layer 3 networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing virtual interfaces and tunnel configurations before actual network failures occur. This preliminary setup allows the system to quickly activate redundancy paths when needed, reducing the complexity of real-time decision-making while maintaining versatility.
3Reliability
If physical links are used for SMLT, then connection reliability is ensured, but deployment is restricted to devices with direct physical connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical link system with a virtualized communication system. Instead of requiring direct physical links between all devices, the system uses virtual interfaces and Layer 3 tunnels to substitute for physical connectivity, maintaining connection reliability while dramatically improving deployment flexibility across distributed networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional physical connectivity model to a multi-dimensional virtual connectivity model. By adding the Layer 3 network dimension and virtual interface layer, the system enables redundancy paths that traverse multiple network layers and geographical locations, not limited by direct physical adjacency.
4Loss of time
If failover mechanisms are implemented, then downtime is reduced, but system complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary failover preparation by pre-configuring virtual interfaces and establishing tunnel relationships before failures occur. This preliminary action ensures that when a failure happens, the switchover can occur rapidly without complex real-time decision-making, reducing downtime while managing system complexity through advance preparation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that monitor network conditions and automatically trigger failover when thresholds are exceeded. This feedback-driven approach reduces the need for complex manual intervention and processing overhead by using automated monitoring and response, thereby reducing downtime without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, apparatus and computer program product is presented. A first tunnel is provided across a layer 3 network from a first network device to a second network device. A first virtual interface (VI) is provided on the second network device, and assigned to the first tunnel. Information related to the first tunnel and the first VI is passed to a third network device, which is a member of a cluster with the second network device. A second tunnel is provided across the layer 3 network from the third device to the first network device, and a second virtual interface (VI) is provided on the third network device, and assigned to the second tunnel. Forwarding information is exchanged between the second network device and the third network device. The second network device and the third network device provide forwarding redundancy service to the first network device.