Virtual Link Aggregation for Network Switch Traffic Rerouting
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Solution Overview
Problem
In network switch configurations, data traffic between aggregation switches is not minimized effectively, leading to inefficiencies when links fail, as existing systems do not efficiently reroute data away from failed links.
Innovation Solution
A network switch with input and output ports, a forwarding table that stores entries correlating destination addresses with aggregated and virtual aggregated links, and logic to remove failed links from virtual aggregated links, allowing for efficient rerouting of data traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If data traffic is routed through virtual aggregated links without link failure detection, then routing simplicity is maintained, but data transmission reliability deteriorates when links fail
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where link status information is continuously monitored and fed back to the forwarding table. When a link failure is detected, the forwarding table is automatically updated to reflect the current link status, ensuring that data traffic is rerouted away from failed links while maintaining the simplicity of virtual aggregated link configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the forwarding table dynamic by allowing it to adapt its routing decisions based on real-time link status. The forwarding table can dynamically adjust which physical links are active within a virtual aggregated link, enabling the system to respond to link failures without requiring manual reconfiguration or complex routing protocols.
2Device complexity
If link aggregation is implemented without virtual aggregated links, then device complexity is reduced, but bandwidth utilization and traffic engineering capabilities deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements virtual aggregated links that can serve multiple functions: they provide load balancing across multiple physical links, enable flexible traffic engineering, and simplify network management. A single virtual aggregated link can encompass multiple physical links and automatically adapt to link failures, providing both simplified configuration and enhanced bandwidth utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple physical links into virtual aggregated links, merging their capabilities while presenting a unified interface to the network. This allows the system to leverage the combined bandwidth of multiple links while maintaining simple configuration through a single logical link identifier in the forwarding table.
3Reliability
If forwarding tables are updated frequently to reflect link status changes, then data transmission reliability is improved, but switching operation overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring virtual aggregated links that encompass multiple physical links. When a link failure occurs, the system only needs to update the forwarding table to remove the failed link from the virtual aggregated link, rather than performing complex rerouting calculations. This preliminary structuring reduces the overhead of handling link failures.
Data Source
AI summary
Access switches in a switching system may use virtual aggregated links. When a link between an aggregation switch and an access switch fails, the link failure may be reflected in the virtual aggregated link and data traffic to another access switch may be switched away from the failed switch. A forwarding table in the access switch stores a number of entries that each define a correspondence between destination addresses and an output identifier for the switch. At least a first output identifier includes an aggregated link that represents a first set of possible output links. At least a second output identifier includes a virtual aggregated link, associated with a second network switch that represents a second set of possible output links. Destination addresses in the forwarding table for the virtual aggregated link correspond to network devices connected to the second network switch.