JP4260796B2 - Bridge and route change method using the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a network including a redundant path formed by a plurality of bridges, and in particular, a bridge used when a network is configured by newly connecting a plurality of bridges in a ring shape to an existing switch (router), and The present invention relates to a route change method using the same.

  In a network including a redundant route by a plurality of bridges, IEEE 802.1D Spanning Tree Protocol is generally used when determining a route. In this IEEE802.1D Spanning Tree Protocol (hereinafter also referred to as Spanning Tree Protocol), a special frame called Bridge Protocol Data Units (hereinafter referred to as BPDU) is exchanged between bridges, and the period during which BPDU is not received from the root port due to a path failure is the shortest. In 6 seconds, the path switching operation is performed. For this reason, in real-time communication and the like, a communication failure time of 6 seconds has occurred. For example, when distributing a video or the like, the video is interrupted only during a communication disabled time, and an accurate video cannot be distributed. In addition, when a network is constructed by connecting a plurality of bridges using the spanning tree protocol in a ring shape, only a maximum of seven connections can be made, and a larger number of bridges can be connected in a ring shape. I was unable to connect to and build a network.

  Therefore, in order to solve the above problem, the present applicant has already applied for a spanning tree bridge for high-speed reconfiguration and a path changing method thereof disclosed in Patent Document 1 below.

  According to the bridge disclosed in Patent Document 1, in a network including a redundant path by a plurality of bridges, the cable is reconnected, the port is invalidated, and the communication path is changed due to a communication failure, and the communication is interrupted. It is possible to speed up the return from the route and shorten the route change time.

  However, when a network is configured by connecting a plurality of bridges disclosed in Patent Document 1 in a ring shape, there is a problem in that as the number of bridges increases, it takes time to change the route, leading to a decrease in communication efficiency. . Further, when a new loop is configured for the network, there is a problem that packet delivery is delayed by the time of the forward delay timer.

  Therefore, the present applicant has made improvements to solve the problem caused by the bridge of Patent Document 1 and has applied for a bridge disclosed in Patent Document 2 and a route change method using the bridge.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a network configuration when five bridges disclosed in Patent Document 2 are connected in a ring shape. In FIG. 7, each bridge 11 (11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E) disclosed in Patent Document 2 has its own address indicating that its own port has changed to the blocking state when its own port has a blocking port. A blocking advertisement including the broadcast advertisement is transmitted to the network 13 by broadcast. In the example of FIG. 7, the bridge 11 </ b> B having a blocking port transmits a blocking advertisement to the network 13 by broadcast. When a line failure is detected, if the own port does not have a blocking port, a line failure notification is transmitted as a unicast packet to the bridge having the blocking port. In the example of FIG. 7, a link break has occurred between the bridge 11 </ b> C and the bridge 11 </ b> D, and the bridge 11 </ b> D that has detected this link break transmits a line failure notification to the bridge 11 </ b> B having a blocking port as a unicast packet. When the own port has a blocking port and receives a line failure notification from another bridge, the blocking port is changed to the forwarding state and a blocking release advertisement indicating that the blocking is released is broadcast to the network 13. In the example of FIG. 7, the bridge 11 </ b> B receives the line failure notification and transmits a blocking release advertisement to the network 13 by broadcast. Then, when receiving the packet of the deblocking advertisement, it deletes its own forwarding database. In the example of FIG. 7, the bridges 11 </ b> A, 11 </ b> C, 11 </ b> D, and 11 </ b> E receive the deblocking advertisement from the bridge 11 </ b> B and delete their own forwarding database.
JP 2001-257704 A JP 2003-348108 A

  Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 8, the bridge 11 disclosed in Patent Document 2 described above is adopted for one existing switch (router) 12, and four bridges (11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D) are newly added. When a new connection is established on the existing network 13 by connecting in a ring shape, there are problems as described below in switching at the time of link disconnection due to communication failure and switching back at the time of recovery from link disconnection.

  In FIG. 8, since the existing switch 12 itself does not have the function of the bridge 11 disclosed in Patent Document 2, the bridge 11 disclosed in Patent Document 2 when the existing switch 12 recovers from the link disconnection and the link disconnection. There was a problem that the function of did not work. In addition, there is a problem in that the forwarding database is not immediately deleted by the existing switch 12 when switching when the link is broken.

  Further, in the network 13 in which four bridges 11 (11A, 11B, 11C, 11D) are connected in a ring shape to the existing switch 12 as shown in FIG. When the link between the bridge 11 (for example, 11D) and the existing switch 12 recovers from the link break, the existing switch 12 cannot forcibly set the port to the forwarding state. That is, when the link disconnection between the existing switch 12 and the bridge 11D is recovered, blocking is generated between the other switch 11A and the existing switch 12 connected adjacent to the existing switch 12 by the spanning tree protocol. However, when the existing switch 12 port connected to the bridge 11D recovers from the link disconnection, the listening state (generally 15 seconds) → learning state (typically 15 seconds) → forwarding state and state transition However, it takes 30 seconds from the recovery of the link disconnection to the transition to the forwarding state. For this reason, the communication via the existing switch 12 is interrupted, and at least 30 seconds are required until the communication is resumed, resulting in a problem that the communication efficiency is lowered.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and when a network is configured by connecting a plurality of bridges to one existing switch in a ring shape, the communication path is changed. However, it is an object of the present invention to provide a bridge capable of instantaneously responding to communication and improving communication efficiency by speeding up the return from the interruption of communication, and a route changing method using the bridge.

In order to achieve the above object, a bridge according to claim 1 of the present invention connects a plurality of bridges 1 to one existing switch 2 in a ring shape, and is connected adjacent to the existing switch. A bridge for configuring the network 3 with a spanning tree protocol in a blocking state between the two bridges,
When a link break is detected on the network, if the own port does not have a blocking port, a line failure notification is sent to the bridge having the blocking port to change the blocking port to the forwarding state. Function and
When the own port has a blocking port, a function of transmitting a blocking advertisement packet including its own address indicating that the own port has transitioned to the blocking state;
A function of storing the address of the bridge that has transmitted the blocking advertisement packet when the blocking advertisement packet is received;
The own port has a blocking port, and when the line failure notification is received from another bridge, the blocking port is changed to the forwarding state, and the blocking release advertisement packet indicating that the blocking is released,
A function of erasing its own forwarding database when receiving the packet of the unblocking advertisement;
When a port connected adjacent to the existing switch recovers from a broken link, the port is set in a disable state until the port on the existing switch is in a forwarding state, and after the disable state elapses, the existing state is set as an enable state. And a function of blocking between the switch and the other bridge connected adjacent to the existing switch .

The bridge according to claim 2 is the bridge according to claim 1,
A function of sending a re-learning packet including a source address for changing a learning port of a forwarding database of the existing switch to the existing switch when the blocking release advertisement packet is transmitted or received; It is characterized by that.

The path change method using the bridge according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of bridges 1 are connected to one existing switch 2 in a ring shape, and one bridge connected to the existing switch adjacent to the existing switch. Is a path changing method using a bridge for configuring the network 3 in a blocking state by a spanning tree protocol,
When a link break is detected on the network, if the own port does not have a blocking port, a line failure notification is sent to the bridge having the blocking port to change the blocking port to the forwarding state. Steps,
When the own port has a blocking port, transmitting a blocking advertisement packet including its own address indicating that the own port has transitioned to a blocking state;
Storing the address of the bridge that transmitted the blocking advertisement packet when receiving the blocking advertisement packet;
When the own port has a blocking port and receives the line failure notification from another bridge, the blocking port is transitioned to a forwarding state, and a blocking cancellation advertisement packet indicating the cancellation of the blocking is transmitted;
Erasing its forwarding database upon receiving the unblocking advertisement packet;
When a port connected adjacent to the existing switch recovers from a broken link, the port is set in a disable state until the port on the existing switch is in a forwarding state, and after the disable state elapses, the existing state is set as an enable state. And a step of making a blocking state between the switch and the other bridge connected adjacent to the existing switch .

The route change method using the bridge described in claim 4 is the route change method using the bridge according to claim 3,
A step of sending a re-learning packet including a source address for changing a learning port of the forwarding database of the existing switch to the existing switch when the packet of the deblocking advertisement is transmitted or received. It is characterized by.

  According to the present invention, in particular, when a plurality of bridges are connected in a ring shape to one existing switch in an existing network, switching due to link disconnection (disconnection between ports or device power supply disconnection) Even if the communication path is changed due to the switchback due to the recovery from the link disconnection, the communication efficiency can be improved by promptly recovering from the interruption of the communication.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 are operation diagrams showing embodiments of a bridge and a route changing method using the bridge according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 shows an example of a packet format of a blocking advertisement transmitted when a blocking port is provided. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a packet format of a deblocking advertisement transmitted when a blocking port is set in a forwarding state, and FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a relearning packet format.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the bridge 1 of the present example has a plurality of ports connected to an existing switch 2 such as a router or another bridge 1. In the example of FIGS. 1 to 3, a network 3 is configured by connecting four bridges 1 (1 </ b> A, 1 </ b> B, 1 </ b> C, 1 </ b> D) in a ring shape to one existing switch (for example, a router as a root bridge) 2. is doing. Further, although not shown, various terminals such as personal computers and network devices are connected to each bridge 1 by LAN according to the network configuration. Furthermore, switches (routers and bridges), various terminals, and network devices are further connected to the existing switch 2 via a LAN according to the network configuration.

  Note that the bridge 1 of this example can also be employed when a network 3 is constructed by connecting a plurality of bridges 1 in a ring shape starting from the existing switch 2 or one bridge 1.

  Each bridge 1 of this example immediately changes the route according to the situation even when a line failure occurs when the network 3 is configured by connecting to the existing switch 2 in a ring shape, In order to speed up recovery from communication interruption and improve communication efficiency, the line failure detection function, port state transition function, packet transmission / reception function, failure occurrence notification transmission / reception function, blocking advertisement transmission / reception function disclosed in Patent Document 2 described above In addition to the address storage function, the blocking release transmission / reception function, and the forwarding database erasing function, a re-learning packet transmission function and a forwarding state wait function are newly added.

  In order to realize the above-described function, the bridge 1 connected to the existing switch 2 is set in advance to recognize the existing switch 2 and the connection port. In addition, for all the bridges 1 connected to the existing switch 2 in a ring shape, setting that is a connection mode with the existing switch 2 is performed in advance.

  The line failure detection function is a function for detecting a line failure based on information on a port (root port) in a direction toward the root bridge (for example, the existing switch 2). To explain further, when the ports of the switches (bridge 1 and existing switch 2) are connected, they are conductive, and when the connection between the ports of the switches (bridge 1 and existing switch 2) is disconnected. A line failure is detected by an interrupt signal. This line failure can also be detected every predetermined time by polling.

  The port state transition function depends on the BPDU reception result by the spanning tree protocol, the line failure detection result by the line failure detection function, the failure notification reception result by the failure notification transmission / reception function, the blocking advertisement reception result by the blocking advertisement transmission / reception function, etc. This is a function for transitioning the own port to one of a disable state, a blocking state, a listening state, a learning state, and a forwarding state.

  The packet transmission / reception function is a function for performing transmission / reception of a packet such as a failure occurrence notification, a blocking advertisement, a blocking cancellation advertisement, and a BPDU through the port with another bridge 1 connected to the own port.

  The failure occurrence notification transmission / reception function is a function for performing line failure notification (line failure notification packet) via a packet transmission / reception function by a unicast packet or broadcast packet (multicast packet) when a line failure is detected by the line failure detection function. This is a function for receiving a line failure notification sent from another bridge 1 via the packet transmission / reception function.

  When a unicast packet is used, a line failure notification is sent to the bridge 1 having the blocking port stored by the address storage function. On the other hand, when a broadcast packet (multicast packet) is used, a line failure notification is sent to all the bridges 1 on the network 3 to be notified of the line failure.

  When the own port has a blocking port, the blocking advertisement transmission / reception function broadcasts to the other bridge 1 on the network 3 so as to notify the other bridge 1 on the network 3 that the own port is in a blocking state. A function for transmitting a blocking advertisement packet (blocking port notification) including its own address via a packet transmission / reception function and a function for receiving a blocking advertisement packet sent from another bridge 1 via the packet transmission / reception function.

  The packet of the blocking advertisement has a format configuration as shown in FIG. 4, for example. In FIG. 4, the header portion includes address information a indicating unicast or broadcast (multicast) (in the example of FIG. 4, broadcast “FF-FF-FF-FF-FF-FF”), and the data portion includes Information b (Flag = blocking) indicating that the port is blocking and own address information c (00-00-91-00-10-20) are included.

  When the address storage function receives a blocking advertisement packet from another bridge 1 via the packet transmission / reception function and blocking advertisement transmission / reception function from the port, the bridge 1 that has performed the blocking advertisement in preparation for a line failure notification in case of a line failure This is a function for storing the address of the device in its own memory.

  Note that this address storage function is a function necessary when a line failure notification is sent to the bridge 1 having a blocking port as a unicast packet, and the line failure notification is broadcast to the bridge 1 on the network 3 (multicast). ) Is an optional function.

  The blocking cancellation transmission / reception function is a function of transmitting a packet of a blocking cancellation advertisement notifying that to the other bridge 1 on the network 3 via the packet transmission / reception function when the blocking port of the own bridge 1 transits to the forwarding state. This is a function of receiving the packet of the blocking cancellation advertisement from the other bridge 1 via the packet transmission / reception function.

  The packet of the deblocking advertisement has a format configuration as shown in FIG. 5, for example. In FIG. 5, address information d (FF-FF-FF-FF-FF-FF) indicating broadcast (multicast) is included in the header portion, and information e (Flag = Flag = FF) indicating that the own port is not blocking in the data portion. Non-blocking) and own address information f (00-00-91-00-10-20).

  The forwarding database erasing function is a function of erasing the forwarding database owned by itself when receiving a deblocking advertisement packet from another bridge 1 through the packet transmission / reception function and the deblocking transmission / reception function.

  The forwarding database is information accumulated by learning which port of the bridge is connected to which address from a packet sent from a terminal or a network device.

  The re-learning packet transmission function is a function of transmitting a re-learning packet for changing the learning port of the forwarding database to the existing switch 2 as an alternative to the above-described forwarding database erasing function. This relearning packet has a format configuration as shown in FIG. 6, for example. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the relearning packet includes a destination address (broadcast, multicast, unicast) to which the relearning packet is transmitted, and a terminal or network device (for example, a personal computer) connected to the bridge 1 At least. Here, a re-learning packet is transmitted to the existing switch 2 for each terminal or network device (for example, a personal computer) connected to the bridge 1 by the re-learning packet transmission function.

  The forwarding state wait function has a function to change the port of the bridge 1 to the forwarding state when recovering from a link break between the existing switch 2 and one bridge 1 connected adjacent to the existing switch 2. This is a function to provide time. Specifically, in the forwarding state wait function, when recovering from a link disconnection, the port of one bridge 1 recovered from the link disconnection is set to a disable state (for example, 35 seconds), and is set to an enable state after the disable state has elapsed. After that, a blocking state is established between the existing switch 2 and the other bridge 1 connected adjacently. Thereby, on the network 3 after recovery from the link disconnection, communication can be resumed in a very short time (for example, about 100 msec) after the blocking is generated.

  Next, when a plurality of bridges 1 (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D) having various functions described above are connected to one existing switch 2 in a ring shape, switching and switching back when a line failure occurs Various operations will be described with reference to FIGS.

  A switching example when the link is broken when the existing switch 2 and the bridge 1A are in a blocking state and a link break occurs between the bridge 1B and the bridge 1C (Example 1)

(1) The bridge 1A having a blocking port transmits a broadcast packet of a blocking advertisement (blocking port notification) periodically (5 seconds) in order to make it known that the own device has a blocking port (FIG. 1A). ).
(2) Each device (bridge 1B, 1C, 1D) learns a bridge 1A (blocking port holding device) having a blocking port according to (1) above. At that time, each device has an aging time (20 seconds) for erasing the learning of the blocking port holding device 1A.
(3) The device (bridge 1B) that has detected the link disconnection transmits a line failure notification packet (line failure notification) indicating that the link disconnection has been detected to the learning blocking port holding device 1A in accordance with (1) above. Packet) is transmitted (FIG. 1B).
(4) The blocking port holding apparatus 1A that has received the “line failure notification packet” immediately changes the blocking port to the forwarding state (FIG. 1B).
(5) The blocking port holding device 1A that has transitioned the blocking port to the forwarding state transmits a blocking cancellation advertisement packet (blocking cancellation advertisement packet) for erasing the forwarding database of the bridges 1B, 1C, and 1D (FIG. 1 ( c)).
(6) The bridges 1B, 1C, and 1D that have received the “blocking cancellation advertisement packet” immediately delete their own forwarding databases.
(7) Each bridge 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D transmits a relearning packet to the existing switch 2 (FIG. 1 (c)). The existing switch 2 receives the relearning packet, relearns, and changes the learning port of the forwarding database.

  -Switching example at the time of link disconnection when the power switch is disconnected in the bridge 1C between the existing switch 2 and the bridge 1A (Example 2)

(1) The bridge 1A having a blocking port transmits a broadcast packet of a blocking advertisement (blocking port notification) periodically (5 seconds) in order to make it known that the own device has a blocking port (FIG. 2A). ).
(2) Each device (bridge 1B, 1C, 1D) learns the bridge 1A (blocking port holding device) having blocking by the above (1). At that time, each device has an aging time (20 seconds) for erasing the learning of the blocking port holding device 1A.
(3) A link failure notification packet (line failure notification packet) indicating that a link failure has been detected is detected for the blocking port holding device 1A that has learned the link failure (bridge 1B) according to (1) above. ) Is transmitted (FIG. 2B).
(4) The blocking port holding device 1A that has received the “line failure notification packet” immediately transitions the blocking port to the forwarding state (FIG. 2B).
(5) The blocking port holding device 1A that has transitioned the blocking port to the forwarding state transmits a blocking release advertisement packet for erasing the address of the other device (FIG. 2 (c)).
(6) The bridges 1B and 1D that have received the “blocking cancellation advertisement packet” immediately delete their forwarding databases.
(7) Each bridge 1A, 1B, 1D transmits a relearning packet to the existing switch 2 (FIG. 2 (c)). The existing switch 2 receives the relearning packet, relearns, and changes the learning port of the forwarding database.

  Example of switching back when recovering from a link disconnection when the link between the existing switch 2 and the bridge 1D recovers from the link disconnection (Example 3)

(1) The port of the existing switch 2 is linked up and starts the state transition start from the listening state → learning state → forwarding state.
(2) The bridge 1D connected to the existing switch 2 keeps the port in the disabled state even when link up is detected (FIG. 3A).
(3) After the port of the existing switch 2 enters the forwarding state (for example, 35 seconds elapses), the port of the bridge 1D is changed from disable to enable, and BPDU reception by the spanning tree protocol is started (FIG. 3A).
(4) The other bridge 1A connected to the existing switch 2 changes the state of the port from the forwarding state to the blocking state (FIG. 3B).
(5) The bridge 1A that has made a transition from the forwarding state to the blocking state transmits a blocking advertisement packet for erasing the forwarding database of another device (FIG. 3B).
(6) The bridges 1B, 1C, and 1D that have received the “blocking advertisement packet” immediately delete their forwarding databases.
(7) The bridge 1D that has received the “blocking advertisement packet” and is changing state (listening state → learning state) immediately sets the port to the forwarding state.
(8) Each bridge 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D transmits a relearning packet to the existing switch 2 (FIG. 3C). The existing switch 2 receives the relearning packet, relearns, and changes the learning port of the forwarding database.

  As described above, according to the bridge and the route changing method of this example, particularly when a plurality of bridges 1 are connected in a ring shape with respect to one existing switch 2 in the existing network 3, the link is disconnected. Improving communication efficiency by promptly recovering from communication interruption even if there is a change in the communication path due to switching due to (disconnection between ports or device power interruption) or switching back due to link disconnection recovery. Can be planned.

  In addition, when a loop is newly constructed between bridges on the network, a blocking advertisement including its own address is immediately broadcast from the bridge that attempts to block its own port. And if the bridge that received this blocking advertisement has a listening or learning port, it will immediately switch the port to the forwarding state, so the packet switching by the conventional forwarding timer is not interrupted. And packet delivery can be performed promptly.

It is a network configuration example when a plurality of bridges according to the present invention are connected in the form of a ring to one existing switch, and is a diagram showing an operation example (first embodiment) at the time of switching due to link disconnection in the network. . It is a figure which shows the operation example (2nd Example) at the time of the switch by link disconnection. It is a figure which shows the operation example (3rd Example) at the time of the switchback by the recovery from a link disconnection. It is a figure which shows an example of the packet format of the blocking advertisement transmitted when it has a blocking port. It is a figure which shows an example of the packet format of the deblocking advertisement transmitted when a blocking port is made into a forwarding state. It is a schematic diagram of the packet format for relearning. It is a figure which shows an example of a network structure at the time of connecting the bridge | bridging disclosed by patent document 2 in multiple numbers in a ring shape. It is a figure which shows an example of the network structure at the time of newly connecting several bridge | bridging disclosed by patent document 2 with one existing switch in the ring shape. It is a figure for demonstrating the problem at the time of the switchback by the recovery from a link disconnection in the network structure at the time of connecting the bridge | bridging disclosed by patent document 2 with one existing switch in ring shape.

Explanation of symbols

1 (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D) Bridge 2 Existing switch 3 Network

Claims (4)

A plurality of bridges (1) are connected to one existing switch (2) in a ring shape, and a spanning tree protocol is used to block between the existing switch and one bridge connected adjacent to the existing switch. A bridge for configuring the network (3),
When a link break is detected on the network, if the own port does not have a blocking port, a line failure notification is sent to the bridge having the blocking port to change the blocking port to the forwarding state. Function and
When the own port has a blocking port, a function of transmitting a blocking advertisement packet including its own address indicating that the own port has transitioned to the blocking state;
A function of storing the address of the bridge that has transmitted the blocking advertisement packet when the blocking advertisement packet is received;
The own port has a blocking port, and when the line failure notification is received from another bridge, the blocking port is changed to the forwarding state, and the blocking release advertisement packet indicating that the blocking is released,
A function of erasing its own forwarding database when receiving the packet of the unblocking advertisement;
When a port connected adjacent to the existing switch recovers from a broken link, the port is set in a disable state until the port on the existing switch is in a forwarding state, and after the disable state elapses, the existing state is set as an enable state. A bridge having a function of blocking between a switch and the other bridge connected adjacent to the existing switch . A function of sending a re-learning packet including a source address for changing a learning port of a forwarding database of the existing switch to the existing switch when the blocking release advertisement packet is transmitted or received; The bridge according to claim 1. A plurality of bridges (1) are connected to one existing switch (2) in a ring shape, and a spanning tree protocol is used to block between the existing switch and one bridge connected adjacent to the existing switch. A route changing method using a bridge for configuring a network (3),
When a link break is detected on the network, if the own port does not have a blocking port, a line failure notification is sent to the bridge having the blocking port to change the blocking port to the forwarding state. Steps,
When the own port has a blocking port, transmitting a blocking advertisement packet including its own address indicating that the own port has transitioned to a blocking state;
Storing the address of the bridge that transmitted the blocking advertisement packet when receiving the blocking advertisement packet;
When the own port has a blocking port and receives the line failure notification from another bridge, the blocking port is transitioned to a forwarding state, and a blocking cancellation advertisement packet indicating the cancellation of the blocking is transmitted;
Erasing its forwarding database upon receiving the unblocking advertisement packet;
When a port connected adjacent to the existing switch recovers from a broken link, the port is set in a disable state until the port on the existing switch is in a forwarding state, and after the disable state elapses, the existing state is set as an enable state. A path changing method using a bridge, comprising the step of blocking between the switch and the other bridge connected adjacent to the existing switch . A step of sending a re-learning packet including a source address for changing a learning port of the forwarding database of the existing switch to the existing switch when the packet of the deblocking advertisement is transmitted or received. The route changing method using the bridge according to claim 3.

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