Switching system with distributed switching fabric

Abstract

A switch encapsulates incoming information using a header, and removes the header upon egress. The header is used by both distributed ingress nodes and within a distributed core to facilitate switching. The ingress and egress elements preferably support Ethernet or other protocol providing connectionless media with a stateful connection. Preferred switches include management protocols for discovering which elements are connected, for constructing appropriate connection tables, for designating a master element, and for resolving failures and off-line conditions among the switches. Secure data protocol (SDP), port to port (PTP) protocol, and active / active protection service (AAPS) are all preferably implemented. Systems and methods contemplated herein can advantageously use Strict Ring Topology (SRT), and conf configure the topology automatically. Components of a distributed switching fabric can be geographically separated by at least one kilometer, and in some cases by over 150 kilometers.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to provisional application No. 60 / 511,145 filed Oct. 14, 2003; provisional application No. 60 / 511,144 filed Oct. 14, 2003; provisional application No. 60 / 511,143, filed Oct. 14, 2003; provisional application No. 60 / 511,142 filed Oct. 14, 2003; provisional application No. 60 / 511,141 filed Oct. 14, 2003; provisional application No. 60 / 511,140 filed Oct. 14, 2003; provisional application No. 60 / 511,139 filed Oct. 14, 2003; provisional application No. 60 / 511,138 filed Oct. 14, 2003; provisional application No. 60 / 511,021 filed Sep. 14, 2003; and provisional application No. 60 / 563,262 filed Apr. 16, 2004, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The field of the invention is network switches. BACKGROUND [0003] Modern computer networks typically communicate using discrete packets or frames of data according to predefined protocols. There are multiple such standards, including the ubiquitous TC...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] The ingress and egress elements preferably support Ethernet or other protocol providing connectionless media with a stateful connection. At least some of ...

Problems solved by technology

One problem with simple embodiments of the prior art design of FIG. 1 is that failure of any given switch destroys integrity of the entire switching system.

That solution, however, is overly expensive because an entire backup must be deployed for each working system.

The solution is also problematic in that the redundant system must be engaged upon failure of substantially any component within the working system.

But that solution is problematic because all the components are situated locally to one another.

A fire, earthquake or other catastrophe will still terminally disrupt the functionality of the entire system.

Despite numerous potential advantages, Beshai's solution in the '546 patent has significant drawbacks.

A second drawback is that the optical core is contemplated to be entirely passive.

A third, related disadvantage, is that Beshai's concept only supports a single channel from one module to another.

All of those deficiencies reduce functionality.

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