Virtual Link State Management via Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing the link state of virtual links in high-capacity network links is challenging due to the difficulty in separately monitoring and controlling the operational status of each virtual link, as existing solutions treat the link status of physical network links monolithically, leading to inefficiencies in bandwidth utilization and resource allocation.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for managing virtual links by receiving and transmitting status updates between devices over a physical network link, determining the operational and management status values, and using these values to determine the state of the virtual link, allowing for separate management and allocation of resources among virtual links.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If physical network links are partitioned into virtual links for improved resource allocation, then bandwidth utilization is improved, but separate management of link state becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the link state management into separate components for each virtual link. Instead of managing the physical link as a single aggregate entity, the system divides link state information into individual virtual link states, allowing each virtual link to be monitored and controlled independently while sharing the underlying physical infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer (virtual link state information) between the physical link and the management system. This intermediary enables separate management of virtual links by translating physical link states into virtual link-specific states, allowing independent control without directly manipulating the physical link.
2Device complexity
If aggregate management of link state is used in virtual partitioning, then device complexity is reduced, but efficiency of network operations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning specific link state characteristics to each virtual link individually. Each virtual link can have its own operational status, management status, and state transitions independent of other virtual links, allowing optimized management for each specific virtual link while maintaining overall system simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of managing virtual link state includes receiving, at a first device, a first status update associated with the virtual link from a second device. The first status update includes a first management status value (RM) and a first operational status value (RO). The system and method further includes determining a second management status value (LM) associated with the first device, determining a second operational status value (LO) based on the first status update and the RM, transmitting a second status update for the virtual link to the second device, the second status update including the LM and the LO, and determining a state of the virtual link based on the RM, the RO, the LM, and the LO. The first device is configured to be coupled to the second device using a physical network link partitioned into a plurality of first virtual links including the virtual link.