System for reordering sequenced based packet segments in a switching network

Abstract

System for reordering packet segments in a switching network. A system is provided for reordering packet segments in a packet switch network, wherein a plurality of source processors transmit the packet segments to a destination processor via one or more network fabrics. The system comprises encoder logic at each source processor that operates to associate a unique segment identifier with each of the packet segments before they are transmitted. A memory and map logic located at the destination processor operate to receive the packet segments, map the segment identifier associated with each of the packet segments to a memory region in the memory, and store each received packet at its respective memory region. A Dequeue processor coupled to the memory operates to determine when enough packet segments are stored in the memory to form a complete data frame and outputs that frame.

Description

[0001] The present invention is related generally to the operation of switching networks, and more particularly, to a system for reordering sequence based packet segments in a switching network.[0002] Communications networks now require the handling of data at very high data rates. For example, 10 gigabits per second (Gbps) is common. When it is required to process data at these speeds, multiple high-speed parallel connections may be used to increase the effective bandwidth. However, this may result in one or more transmission problems, since the data streams must be divided to be distributed over the multiple parallel connections, and at some point after parallel transmission, recombined to form the original streams.[0003] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram 100 of a typical network structure for transmitting data frames (or data packets) from source processors 102 to a destination processor 104 via network fabrics 106. The data streams include frames that may comprise a fixed amount of d...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

0009] In one embodiment included in the present invention, a system is provided for reordering packet segments in a packet switch network, wherein a plurality of source processors transmit the packet segments to a destination processor via one or more network fabrics. The system comprises encoder logic at each source processor that operates to associate a unique segment identifier with each of the packet segments before they are transmitted. The system also comprises a memory and map logic located at the destination processor that operate to receive the packet segments, map the segment identifier associated with each of the packet segments to a memory region in the memory, and store each received packet at its respective memory region. The system also comprises a Dequeue processor coupled to the memory and operable to determine when enough packet segments are stored in the memory to form a complete data frame. When enough packets are

Problems solved by technology

However, this may result in one or more transmission problems, since the data streams must be divided to be distributed over the multiple parallel connections, and at some point after parallel transmission, recombined to form the original streams.

A significant problem that exists with current transmission systems, such as the system shown in FIG. 1, is that the frames may end up in the wrong order when transmitted from the destination processor D. For example, the frames may be output in the order shown at 108.

As a result, additional overhead will be used and a corresponding loss of transmission bandwidth will be realized.

Additional problems can occur in systems where the transmitted data frames have been segmented before transmission.

Thus, even if the frames maintain the correct order with respect to a transmitting source processor, segments within the frames may be out of order.

Images