VLAN-Based Ethernet Bridge MAC Table Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing Ethernet bridge devices in broadband access networks require large MAC address tables to manage data packets, leading to high networking costs and limited network scalability due to the need for either expensive high-capacity devices or low-cost devices with insufficient MAC address space, resulting in wasted bandwidth and network instability.
Innovation Solution
An Ethernet bridge device and VLAN-based data packet transmission method that learns and stores correspondences between VLAN IDs and member ports, allowing for efficient forwarding of data packets without the need for extensive MAC address tables, thereby reducing storage requirements and enabling network expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a high-level Ethernet bridge device with large MAC address table space is employed, then the network can support more users and achieve better scalability, but the networking cost becomes very high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the MAC address table functionality by introducing VLAN-based forwarding. Instead of requiring a single large MAC address table to store all user MAC addresses, the system divides the forwarding decision process into VLAN-level forwarding (using VLAN ID to member port correspondence) and MAC-level forwarding within each VLAN. This segmentation allows each Ethernet bridge device to maintain a smaller, more manageable MAC address table while still supporting a large number of users through VLAN-based organization.
2Ease of manufacture
If a low-level Ethernet bridge device with small MAC address table space is employed, then the networking cost is reduced, but the network scale is limited and more expensive high-capacity devices are eventually needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a new dimension to the forwarding decision process by introducing VLAN ID as an additional classification parameter. Instead of relying solely on MAC address tables to handle all forwarding decisions, the system uses VLAN ID to first identify the virtual network, then uses member port correspondence to determine forwarding paths. This dimensional change allows low-cost Ethernet bridge devices with limited MAC address table space to effectively support large-scale networks by organizing users into VLANs.
3Ease of manufacture
If the MAC address table space is insufficient, then the networking cost is reduced, but MAC addresses of some users cannot be learnt, causing data packets to be broadcasted and wasting network bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces VLAN ID and member port correspondence as intermediary structures between the data packet and the MAC address table. When a data packet arrives, the system first extracts the VLAN ID and consults the VLAN-to-member-port correspondence table to determine the appropriate forwarding path. This intermediary mechanism allows the system to make forwarding decisions without needing to store all user MAC addresses in the bridge device's local table, thereby preventing bandwidth waste while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a VLAN-based data packet transmission method and an Ethernet bridge device. The method includes: learning a member port corresponding to a VLAN according to a data packet received by an Ethernet bridge device, and storing a correspondence between a VLAN and the learnt member port; and forwarding the data packet by the Ethernet bridge device according to the correspondence between each VLAN and its member port that is stored.