VLAN-Based VOD Streaming Network for Aircraft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network systems for streaming video on demand (VOD) in vehicles, such as aircraft, face challenges in maintaining redundancy and maximizing bandwidth while minimizing packet loss due to contention, especially when spanning trees do not effectively manage traffic and require cumbersome configuration or additional costly routers.
Innovation Solution
The system employs virtual local area networks (VLANs) and Internet Protocol (IP) subnets to control traffic, allowing multiple active paths for VOD streams, eliminating the need for router-based solutions and minimizing packet loss by using VLANs to manage traffic at the data link layer without reconfiguring the network upon path failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spanning tree is used to provide redundant paths, then network redundancy is achieved, but traffic control capability is lost and single link between switches is enforced
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into multiple VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks) that can operate independently. Each VLAN provides its own spanning tree instance, allowing traffic control and path management to be separated into distinct logical segments. This enables granular control over traffic flow while maintaining redundancy through multiple VLAN instances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of control by implementing per-VLAN spanning tree instances instead of a single global spanning tree. This dimensional change allows independent path control for each VLAN, enabling traffic engineering and load balancing across multiple paths without the limitations of traditional single-tree approaches.
2Reliability
If spanning tree provides loop-free path with backup, then network reliability is improved, but switch flooding problem occurs during path failures
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary configuration by pre-establishing spanning tree instances for multiple VLANs before failures occur. This preliminary setup ensures that alternative paths are already validated and ready, so when a failure occurs, traffic can be switched to backup paths without causing flooding, as the path validation has already been performed in advance.
3Reliability
If routers are employed instead of switches, then network redundancy and traffic control are improved, but cost and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes switches multi-functional by enabling them to perform routing-like functions through VLAN-based spanning tree instances. Switches can control traffic across VLAN boundaries and manage inter-VLAN routing without requiring separate router hardware. This universal approach allows switches to handle both switching and routing functions, eliminating the need for additional router devices in resource-constrained environments.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for streaming numerous video on demand (VOD) streams over a network, such as a local area medium sized network on a vehicle such as an aircraft. The system and method that provides redundant and restricted paths for streaming numerous VOD streams while providing maximum bandwidth for traffic from multiple sources with minimal packet loss due to contention.