FIELD

A system, method, and device for providing an alternative path to a first network segment using a second network segment.

BACKGROUND

Computer networks may be organized logically or physically into network segments. Each network segment may include a number of nodes and a number of links between the nodes of the network segment. Nodes of a particular network segment may communicate with one another across the links of that network segment.

Multiple network segments may also be interconnected with one another. Each of the network segments may adhere to one or more network control protocols (as used herein, the term ‘network control protocol’ may include any number of ISO layer 2 control protocols), and communication across segments may be possible using a common protocol, or through a node acting as a gateway between segments.

Establishing a path across multiple network segments using an arbitrary protocol, however, may not be possible as individual network nodes need not be adherent to all (or even multiple) network control protocols.

Accordingly, certain network segments will not interconnect others utilizing particular network control protocols. This presents particular limitations in establishing redundant paths across networks utilizing varying network control protocols.

Systems, methods, and devices that allow more flexible cross-segment communications may be desirable.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of providing a path between bridges of a first network segment configured using a Spanning Tree Protocol (‘STP’) on which STP control data frames are passed, the method comprising: providing a second network segment interconnecting first and second bridges of said first network segment, said second network segment operable to transmit frames adherent to a High-availability Seamless Redundancy (‘HSR’) network protocol and to discard said STP control data frames; modifying at a first Redundancy Box (‘RedBox’) STP control data frames to form modified data frames adherent to said HSR protocol, said first RedBox acting as a point of ingress to said second network segment, thereby enabling transport of said STP control data frames across said second network segment; and modifying at a second RedBox, said modified data frames to re-form said STP control data frames, said second RedBox acting as a point of egress from said second network segment, thereby providing said path between said first and second bridges.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of providing a path between nodes of a first network segment configured using a first network control protocol, the method comprising: providing a second network segment interconnecting first and second nodes of said first network segment, said second network segment operable to transmit datagrams adherent to a second network protocol and to discard control datagrams adherent to said first network control protocol; modifying at a point of ingress to said second network segment, control datagrams of said first network control protocol to form modified control datagrams adherent to said second protocol, thereby enabling transport of said modified control datagrams across said second network segment; and modifying at a point of egress from said second network segment, said modified control datagrams to re-form control datagrams adherent to said first network control protocol, and thereby said second network segment to provide a segment along said path between said first and second nodes configured using said first network control protocol.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a system for providing a path, the system comprising: a first network segment on which control datagrams adherent to a first network control protocol are passed; a second network segment operable to transmit datagrams adherent to a second network protocol and to discard control datagrams adherent to said first network control protocol; and first and second nodes interconnecting said first and second network segments, said first and second nodes providing a point of ingress for said control datagrams to said second network segment and a point of egress for said control datagrams to said first network segment, wherein said first and second nodes are configured to: at said point of ingress, modify control datagrams of said first network protocol to form modified control datagrams adherent to said second protocol, thereby enabling transport of said modified control datagrams across said second network segment, and at said point of egress, modify said modified control datagrams to re-form configuration datagrams adherent to said first network protocol, and thereby said second network segment to provide a segment along said path between said first and second nodes configured using said first network control protocol.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a network communication device for providing a path between nodes of a first network segment on which control datagrams adherent to a first network control protocol are passed, the device comprising: a processor; a first port coupled to said first network segment; second and third ports coupled to a second network segment and interconnecting said first network segment to said second network segment, said second network segment operable to transmit datagrams adherent to a second network control protocol and to discard control datagrams adherent to said first network protocol; memory in communication with said processor; and software code stored in said memory, which, when executed by said processor, causes said network communication device to: at a point of ingress to said second network segment, modify control datagrams of said first network protocol to form modified control datagrams adherent to said second protocol, thereby enabling transport of said modified control datagrams across said second network segment, and at a point of egress from said second network segment, modifying said modified control datagrams to re-form control datagrams adherent to said first network protocol, and thereby said second network segment to provide a segment along said path between said first and second nodes configured using said first network control protocol.

Other aspects, features, and embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

