Enhancing Time-Sensitive Networking resilience through SDN-based automated failover process

Abstract

In domains such as industrial automation, tactile networking, and invehicle communication, stringent requirements for bounded latency and minimal packet loss are paramount to ensure the reliability and efficiency of Time-Sensitive applications. The Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) aims to cater to these requirements. The architecture of TSN involves heterogeneous data with mixed traffic classes. To ensure the continuous availability of the TSN network, the required failover process for TSN devices must be in place. In this paper, the novel algorithm TSN Device Failover Design (TDFD) for automatic failover configuration of edge switch is proposed and validated using Linux based Open Source tools. Also, the Software Defined Networking (SDN) infrastructure is being employed to enhance the operational efficiency of distributed TSN. For the bounded latency as proposed under the IEEE 802.1Qbv, this work utilizes TAPRIO (Time Aware Priority) queuing discipline. Additionally, the impact of failover on TSN traffic is analyzed by measuring the latency. The experiment result shows that the TSN packets were sent to the destination with a delay of 6 to 13 microseconds before failover. During the failover process, there were no packet transmissions for about 160 ms due to the transition from the old TSN path to the new TSN path due to switch failure. After this, the packets are transmitted to the destination with zero loss. The time taken for the CUC to calculate the new flows and push the new flows to the backup switch is 160 ms. © 2025 The Authors