Wireless LAN Split-Plane Tunnel Failover via State Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mechanisms for providing load-sharing and resiliency in Wireless LAN Split-plane networks, such as VRRP and RSMLT, face deficiencies in quick recovery and traffic handling during link failures or switch outages, particularly in point-to-point tunnels, leading to service disruptions and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method and apparatus for failover in point-to-point tunnels within the Wireless LAN Split-plane architecture, where the Mobility Switch communicates its failover capability to the Access Point, preserving tunnel forwarding states and redirecting traffic to a redundant Mobility Switch, allowing seamless failover and re-establishment of tunnel connections without service disruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mechanisms like VRRP and RSMLT are used for load-sharing and resiliency, then network redundancy is provided, but quick recovery and traffic handling during link failures are insufficient leading to service disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing tunnel forwarding states at the standby Mobility Switch before failure occurs. The standby switch learns and synchronizes tunnel attributes (source/destination MAC addresses, VLAN associations, tunnel identifiers) in advance, so that when failover is triggered, the transition is immediate without requiring state establishment during the recovery process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by maintaining synchronized tunnel forwarding states at the standby Mobility Switch as a buffer against failure. This pre-synchronized state acts as a cushion that absorbs the impact of failure, enabling seamless failover without service disruption since the standby switch already has the necessary forwarding information ready.
2Reliability
If traffic is diverted to a designated alternate port upon failure, then connectivity is restored, but the alternate port may become overloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by configuring both Mobility Switches in the RSMLT pair with identical tunnel forwarding states and capabilities. Each switch is designed to be universally capable of handling all tunnel traffic, not just its primary traffic. This multi-functionality allows either switch to assume the role of the other during failover, distributing the load capacity across both switches rather than concentrating all alternate traffic on a single designated port.
3Reliability
If the Access Point re-establishes tunnel connections after failure, then connectivity is restored, but service disruption occurs during the re-establishment process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by having the standby Mobility Switch create and maintain a duplicate copy of the tunnel forwarding states from the primary switch. This copied state includes all necessary tunnel attributes and forwarding information. When failover occurs, the standby switch with its pre-copied states immediately takes over, eliminating the need for the Access Point to re-establish tunnel connections and preventing service disruption.
4Loss of time
If rapid failover is implemented in point-to-point tunnels, then downtime is minimized, but conventional mechanisms lack the capability for seamless failover without service disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing tunnel forwarding states at the standby Mobility Switch before failure occurs. The standby switch learns and synchronizes tunnel attributes (source/destination MAC addresses, VLAN associations, tunnel identifiers) in advance, so that when failover is triggered, the transition is immediate without requiring state establishment during the recovery process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies copying by having the standby Mobility Switch create and maintain a duplicate copy of the tunnel forwarding states from the primary switch. This copied state includes all necessary tunnel attributes and forwarding information. When failover occurs, the standby switch with its pre-copied states immediately takes over, eliminating the need for the Access Point to re-establish tunnel connections and preventing service disruption.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus and computer program product for providing failover for a point to point tunnel for wireless local area network split-plane environments is presented. A second network switch learns first data associated with a third network switch and the second network switch terminates a tunnel. The third network switch learns second data associated with the second network switch. The first and second data are synchronized between the second network switch and the third network switch. The second network switch and the third network switch load sharing tunnel data packets. The third network switch forwards tunnel control packets received by the third network switch to the second network switch. A failure relating to the second network switch is detected and a new tunnel is established with the third network switch.