Cluster-based distributed virtual circuit optical switch network system

Abstract

A cluster-based distributed virtual circuit optical switch network system for transmitting multiple optical signals is provided. In a cluster-based distributed virtual circuit type optical switch network system 1000, a lower-level optical switch network module 100 includes a plurality of first optical switch network subsystems 110 and is defined as a cluster. An upper-level optical switch network module 200 includes at least one second optical switch network subsystem 210, 210' and has a plurality of interconnected upper-level optical switches 220, 220'. The upper-level optical switches 220, 220' are each connected to the first optical switch network subsystem 110. When an optical signal is transmitted between clusters, the optical signal is transmitted from the first optical switch network subsystem 110 to another first optical switch network subsystem 110 via the upper-level optical switch 220, 220'.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cluster-based distributed virtual circuit optical switch network system, and more particularly to a distributed virtual circuit optical switch network system having a two-layer architecture that can realize highly efficient and flexible optical signal transmission between different clusters. [Background technology]

[0002] Current high-performance computing (HPC) relies on supercomputers or computing clusters to solve large-scale, complex computational problems. These problems include applications such as scientific simulation, climate prediction, and biological genome analysis. The increasing volume of data and computing demands are driving demands for high-performance computing (HPC) systems' computational speed and data transmission efficiency. HPC systems must be equipped with high-speed data transmission and powerful processing capabilities. Graphics processing units (GPUs) possess parallel computing capabilities and are a key technology driving the development of high-performance computing (HPC). In the field of artificial intelligence, GPUs accelerate the training process of neural networks, enabling machine learning models to process large amounts of complex data quickly and accurately.

[0003] As the number of GPUs and computing demands increase, it is necessary to effectively connect a large number of GPUs to meet high-performance computing requirements. Network infrastructure must have high bandwidth, low latency, and highly efficient data processing capabilities. Virtual optical switch network technology enables high-speed, low-latency data transmission. Virtual optical switch network technology dynamically adjusts bandwidth. Virtual optical switch network technology supports collaborative processing between graphics processing units (GPUs) and improves overall computing performance.

[0004] Traditional virtual circuit optical switch network systems typically use a single-layer network topology. When using a single-layer network topology for data transmission, increasing the number of GPU racks in the system also increases the number of optical switches required. This requires upgrading the optical components inside the optical switches to meet the demand for data transmission bandwidth between a large number of GPUs. Upgrading the optical components to a specific scale significantly increases the difficulty and cost of manufacturing. Therefore, single-layer network topologies are only applicable to small and medium-sized HPC data centers.

[0005] In light of this, existing technologies face problems of insufficient bandwidth and excessive manufacturing costs of optical switches when serving large-scale HPC data centers, which need to be resolved urgently. Summary of the Invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a cluster-based distributed virtual circuit optical switch network system. The cluster-based distributed virtual circuit optical switch network system is composed of a lower optical switch network module and an upper optical switch network module. The lower optical switch network module includes multiple first optical switch network subsystems. The upper optical switch network module includes at least one second optical switch network subsystem. The modules form a two-layer optical switch network system topology, with upper and lower layers. In the present invention, each first optical switch network subsystem is defined as a cluster. The second optical switch network subsystem connects multiple clusters. In the optical switch network system of the present invention, each cluster has the topology of a conventional single-layer virtual circuit optical switch network system. Optical signal transmission is performed in each first optical switch network subsystem (i.e., cluster) of the lower optical switch network module. Optical signal transmission is also performed in the second optical switch network subsystem. Optical-electrical-optical conversion is performed between the lower optical switch network module and the upper optical switch network module, thereby reselecting the wavelength. This conversion enables signal transmission between different clusters. The specifications and number of each first optical switch network subsystem (i.e., each cluster), second optical switch network subsystem, and all optical switches used in the system can be determined based on the actual network bandwidth requirements. Therefore, the optical switches used in the system of the present invention can use the same specifications and are not affected by the overall system scale. As the system scale expands, there is no need to use optical switches with higher specifications, effectively reducing construction costs. The system has technical advantages in the optical signal transmission process, including high flexibility, ultra-low latency, high bandwidth, and high efficiency. The system achieves larger-scale inter-cluster data transmission with lower manufacturing costs and flexible transmission path selection. The system effectively transmits data between server racks corresponding to optical network systems in different clusters.

[0007] To achieve the above object, the present invention discloses a cluster-based distributed virtual circuit type optical switch network system for transmitting multiple optical signals. The cluster-based distributed virtual circuit type optical switch network system includes a lower optical switch network module and an upper optical switch network module. The lower optical switch network module includes multiple first optical switch network subsystems. Each of the first optical switch network subsystems is defined as one cluster. The upper optical switch network module includes at least one second optical switch network subsystem. The at least one second optical switch network subsystem includes multiple interconnected upper optical switches. The upper optical switches are each connected to the first optical switch network subsystem. When the optical signal is transmitted between the clusters, the optical signal is transmitted from one of the first optical switch network subsystems to another of the first optical switch network subsystems via the upper optical switch of the at least one second optical switch network subsystem.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present invention, each of the first optical switch network subsystems includes a plurality of lower optical switches, at least one bridge optical switch, a plurality of top switches, and at least one bridge top switch, and in each of the first optical switch network subsystems, the lower optical switches are connected to the top switches, the at least one bridge optical switch is connected to the at least one bridge top switch, and the lower optical switches and the at least one bridge optical switch are interconnected, thereby forming the cluster.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, each of the upper optical switches is respectively connected to the at least one bridge-top switch, and the lower optical switch network module and the upper optical switch network module are interconnected through the at least one bridge-top switch.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, when the optical signal is transmitted within the same cluster, the optical signal is transmitted through the lower optical switch within the same first optical switch network subsystem. When the optical signal is transmitted between different clusters, the optical signal is transmitted from one of the top switches to the lower optical switch within the first optical switch network subsystem, further transmitted to the at least one bridge optical switch, transmitted to the at least one bridge top switch and the upper optical switch to the at least one second optical switch network subsystem, and further transmitted to another of the first optical switch network subsystems via another upper optical switch of the at least one second optical switch network subsystem.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one bridge-top switch includes a plurality of optical transceivers, and when the optical signal is transmitted between the clusters via the at least one bridge-top switch, the optical transceivers perform optical-electrical-optical signal conversion, thereby enabling wavelength selection of the optical signal.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one second optical switch network subsystem comprises a plurality of second optical switch network subsystems, each of which is independent from the others and is not directly interconnected.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one bridge-top switch includes a plurality of bridge-top switches, and the at least one bridge optical switch includes a plurality of bridge-top optical switches, each of the second optical switch network subsystems is connected to the bridge-top switch, so that the optical signal can be transmitted to different clusters via different second optical switch network subsystems.

[0014] In an embodiment of the present invention, the number of the first optical switch network subsystems is defined as M, the number of the lower optical switches and the top switches in each of the first optical switch network subsystems is defined as N, the number of the at least one bridge top switch and the at least one bridge optical switch in each of the first optical switch network subsystems is defined as K, and the total number of optical switches in the first optical switch network subsystem is (N+K)×M, where M, N, and K are positive integers.

[0015] In an embodiment of the present invention, the number of the at least one second optical switch network subsystem is K, and the number of the upper optical switches is M×K.

[0016] In an embodiment of the present invention, each of the first optical switch network subsystems is connected to a plurality of server racks via the corresponding top switch.

[0017] In an embodiment of the present invention, the lower optical switches and the at least one bridge optical switch in each of the first optical switch network subsystems are interconnected in a vertical and horizontal full-mesh manner by multiple optical fibers, and the upper optical switches in the at least one second optical switch network subsystem are interconnected in a vertical and horizontal full-mesh manner by multiple optical fibers.

[0018] In an embodiment of the present invention, the upper optical switch, the lower optical switch, and the bridge optical switch have the same internal design, the top switch and the bridge top switch have the same internal design, and the network connection method between the lower optical switches in the first optical switch network subsystem is the same as the network connection method between the upper optical switches in the at least one second optical switch network subsystem.

[0019] Those skilled in the art can understand other objects of the present invention, as well as the technical means and embodiments of the present invention, by referring to the drawings and the embodiments described below. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of network connections for a 5x5 single-layer network topology built with multiple optical switches [Figure 2] A schematic diagram of the full-mesh connection between an optical switch and other optical switches adjacent in the vertical and horizontal directions in the connection configuration of Figure 1. [Figure 3] Schematic diagram of the optical switch network subsystem in which each optical switch is connected to the top switch and server rack in the connection configuration of Figure 1. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram of a topology of a cluster-based distributed virtual circuit optical switch network system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic diagram of two second optical switch network subsystems in a cluster-based distributed virtual circuit optical switch network system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a partial schematic diagram of a cluster-based distributed virtual circuit optical switch network system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of optical signal transmission between different first optical switch network subsystems in a cluster-based distributed virtual circuit optical switch network system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of optical signal transmission routes between different first optical switch network subsystems in an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The present invention will be described below through examples. Note that the examples of the present invention are merely examples of embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention to the environments, applications, or specific aspects described in the examples. Therefore, the explanation of the examples is intended to explain the present invention, but does not limit the present invention. Note that components not directly related to the present invention are omitted and not shown in the embodiments and drawings. The dimensional relationships between the components in the drawings are intended to facilitate understanding and do not limit the actual dimensions.

[0022] First, referring to Figures 1 to 3, the concept of forming an optical switch network using multiple optical switches under a single-layer network topology will be explained. A 5x5 topology is taken as an example. Each optical switch 20 is fully mesh-connected to other vertically adjacent optical switches 20 via ribbon optical fibers. Similarly, each optical switch 20 is fully mesh-connected to other horizontally adjacent optical switches 20 via other ribbon optical fibers. In this way, an optical switch network 10 with a single-layer network topology is formed. The number of optical switches 20 in the single-layer network topology can be adjusted based on the system scale and transmission requirements, for example, a 4x4 or 3x3 topology. As shown in Figure 3, the optical switch network 10 has an all-optical signal transmission function. Each optical switch 20 is connected to a top switch 40 and a server rack 60. The top switch 40 converts electrical signals transmitted by the server rack 60 into optical signals via optical transceivers and transmits them to the optical switch 20, or converts optical signals transmitted by the optical switch 20 into electrical signals and transmits them to the server rack 60.

[0023] An important feature of the present invention is the construction of a distributed virtual circuit-type optical switch network system 1000 using the above-described connection configuration and concept. As shown in FIG. 4, the cluster-based distributed virtual circuit-type optical switch network system 1000 includes a lower optical switch network module 100 and an upper optical switch network module 200. Both the lower optical switch network module 100 and the upper optical switch network module 200 have a single-layer network topology. Combining the two forms a two-layer topology virtual circuit-type optical switch network system for transmitting optical signals. In the embodiment described below, the lower optical switch network module 100 is the first-layer connection configuration and includes multiple first optical switch network subsystems 110. For example, the first layer has a total of 16 first optical switch network subsystems 110 (as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6). Each first optical switch network subsystem 110 has a 3x3 connection configuration and is defined as one cluster. The connection configuration of each cluster is identical to that of the other. The second layer is connected by two independent sets of second optical switch network subsystems 210, 210' (as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5). Each second optical switch network subsystem 210, 210' is composed of 16 optical switches 220, 220' in a 4x4 arrangement. Each optical switch 220, 220' corresponds to each first optical switch network subsystem 110. In this way, the distributed virtual circuit type optical switch network system 1000 of the embodiment of the present invention is constructed. Note that the single-layer network topology of the optical switch network 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is applicable to both the first optical switch network subsystem 110 and the second optical switch network subsystem 210. The design and specifications of the optical switches used in both are the same. The connection method between the optical switches is also the same.

[0024] In this embodiment, each first optical switch network subsystem 110 has a 3x3 connection configuration. However, it goes without saying that the 5x5 connection configuration (as shown in FIG. 1) of the previously described embodiment can also be used for each first optical switch network subsystem 110. To clearly illustrate and explain the connection configuration of the system of the present invention in the drawings, each first optical switch network subsystem 110 in this embodiment is described as having a 3x3 connection configuration, but this is not limited to this. Note that while FIG. 4 also illustrates that the upper optical switch network module 200 includes two sets of second optical switch network subsystems 210, 210' that are independent of each other and not directly interconnected, this embodiment does not limit the number of second optical switch network subsystems. In fact, the present invention can be implemented with only one set of second optical switch network subsystems.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 6 , in this embodiment, each first optical switch network subsystem 110 includes multiple downstream optical switches 120, at least one bridge optical switch 130, multiple top switches 140, and at least one bridge top switch 150. Because the wavelengths of the transmitting and receiving optical signals must match, the downstream optical switches 120 and the bridge optical switch 130 have the same specifications. When the first optical switch network subsystem 110 needs to increase its external bandwidth, the downstream optical switches 120 are used as bridge optical switches 130, and the top switch 140 is used as a bridge top switch 150. In this embodiment, the first optical switch network subsystem 110 adopts a 3×3 topology, in which two downstream optical switches 120 are replaced with bridge optical switches 130, and two top switches 140 are replaced with bridge top switches 150. The above quantities and locations can be adjusted based on actual transmission demands.

[0026] FIG. 5 shows that the second optical switch network subsystem 210 in this embodiment of the present invention is composed of multiple upper-level optical switches 220 connected vertically and horizontally in a full-mesh configuration. The upper-level optical switches 220 adopt a 4x4 optical switch configuration. Each upper-level optical switch 220 is connected to a first optical switch network subsystem 110 to realize optical signal transmission between clusters. Specifically, data transmission between different first optical switch network subsystems 110 must pass through at least one second optical switch network subsystem 210 in the upper-level optical switch network module 200. An optical signal is transmitted from one first optical switch network subsystem 110 to another first optical switch network subsystem 110 via an upper-level optical switch 220. When an optical signal is transmitted between different clusters, the optical signal is transmitted from one first optical switch network subsystem 110 and then forwarded to another first optical switch network subsystem 110 via at least one upper-level optical switch 220 in the second optical switch network subsystem 210, thereby achieving highly efficient data transmission between clusters. As shown in FIG. 4, this embodiment uses two second optical switch network subsystems 210 and 210′ ​​as an example, but the number can be selected based on the bandwidth required for actual optical signal transmission. In another embodiment, two first optical switch network subsystems 110 and one second optical switch network subsystem 210 can cooperate to form the smallest unit of the cluster-based distributed virtual circuit optical switch network system 1000 (not shown). The number of second optical switch network subsystems can also be set to one based on actual demand. The number of second optical switch network subsystems 210 and 210′ ​​in the upper optical switch network module 200 directly affects the required number of upper optical switches 220 and 220′. The number of second optical switch network subsystems 210 and 210′ ​​depends on the required amount of inter-cluster data transmission in the server rack 160. If the amount of inter-cluster data transmission is small, a smaller number of second optical switch network subsystems 210 can be selected.When the amount of data transmitted between clusters is large, more second optical switch network subsystems 210 are required to meet the bandwidth demand. Specifically, at least one second optical switch network subsystem 210 must be deployed to realize optical signal transmission between different clusters. In this embodiment, two second optical switch network subsystems 210 are used as an example. The more second optical switch network subsystems 210 are used, the higher the network bandwidth and fault tolerance of the overall system connection configuration will be, and the more optical path options will be available to optimize transmission efficiency.

[0027] Specifically, FIGS. 4 and 6 show the internal layout and connection relationships of each first optical switch network subsystem 110 in this embodiment. The lower optical switches 120 are connected to a top switch 140. In this embodiment, each first optical switch network subsystem 110 is connected to multiple server racks 160 via the corresponding top switch 140. At least one bridge optical switch 130 is connected to at least one bridge top switch 150. The lower optical switches 120 and at least one bridge optical switch 130 in the same cluster are interconnected in a vertical and horizontal full-mesh fashion. This connection scheme forms a cluster, which is defined as the first optical switch network subsystem 110. Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 4, each upper optical switch 220 is interconnected in a vertical and horizontal full-mesh fashion and is connected to each bridge top switch 150. Similarly, each upper optical switch 220′ is interconnected in a vertical and horizontal full-mesh fashion and is connected to another bridge top switch 150. The lower optical switch network module 100 and the upper optical switch network module 200 are interconnected via a bridge top switch 150. This configuration enables optical signals to be transmitted within the cluster-based distributed virtual circuit type optical switch network system 1000.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, each first optical switch network subsystem 110 includes two bridge optical switches 130 and seven downstream optical switches 120, which cooperate to form a 3x3 vertical and horizontal full-mesh topology. The upstream optical switch network module 200 in this embodiment includes two independent second optical switch network subsystems 210, 210'. Each second optical switch network subsystem 210, 210' is configured such that the upstream optical switch 220, 220' is connected to the bridge optical switch 130 via a bridge top switch 150. The bridge optical switch 130 is connected to the downstream optical switch 120 in the same cluster. Overall, the multiple first optical switch network subsystems 110 and the two second optical switch network subsystems 210, 210' form an optical signal transmission connection configuration. The top switch 140, which was previously used to connect the server rack 160 and the downstream optical switches 120, has been replaced with the bridge top switch 150. The bridge-top switch 150 is connected to the upper optical switches 220, 220' and the bridge optical switch 130. In this embodiment, the bridge-top switch 150 shown in Figure 4 is not directly connected to the server rack 160. The bridge-top switch 150 can be connected to the server rack 160 through some of its optical fiber ports, and the remaining optical fiber ports are connected to the bridge optical switch 130. Whether the bridge-top switch 150 is connected to the server rack 160 depends on the actual optical signal transmission needs and is not limited here.

[0029] Furthermore, the number of second optical switch network subsystems 210, 210' determines the number of bridge optical switches 130 in each first optical switch network subsystem 110. If the number of second optical switch network subsystems 210, 210' is two, then the number of bridge optical switches 130 in each first optical switch network subsystem 110 is two. Furthermore, each second optical switch network subsystem 210, 210' is connected to a bridge top switch 150 in each first optical switch network subsystem 110. Optical signals can be transmitted to different clusters via different second optical switch network subsystems 210, 210'. This configuration allows optical signal transmission between multiple first optical switch network subsystems 110 to have diverse path selection, improving bandwidth utilization and flexibility of routing selection in the network connection configuration.

[0030] In this embodiment, the lower optical switches 120 and at least one bridge optical switch 130 in each first optical switch network subsystem 110 are interconnected in a vertical and horizontal full-mesh manner by multiple optical fibers 300. The upper optical switches 220, 220' in each second optical switch network subsystem 210, 210' are interconnected in a vertical and horizontal full-mesh manner by multiple optical fibers 300. Optical fibers connect the optical switches to realize optical signal transmission within the first optical switch network subsystem 110 and the second optical switch network subsystem 210. The network connection method between the lower optical switches 120 in the first optical switch network subsystem 110 may be different from the network connection method between the upper optical switches 220 in the second optical switch network subsystem 210. The network connection method can be configured based on actual network demands.

[0031] In this embodiment, optical path control utilizes the control function of a software-defined network (SDN) to dynamically select and manage optical paths, optimizing optical signal transmission efficiency. SDN control is responsible for managing optical signal transmission between the lower optical switch 120, bridge optical switch 130, top switch 140, bridge top switch 150, and upper optical switch 220. Real-time network status monitoring and resource adjustment realizes dynamic optical path selection and bandwidth adjustment, improving the transmission performance and resource utilization of the optical network.

[0032] Next, the quantitative relationship between the components in the cluster-based distributed virtual circuit-type optical switch network system 1000 will be described. Let us assume that there are M first optical switch network subsystems 110. Each first optical switch network subsystem 110 includes N downstream optical switches 120 and N top switches 140. Each first optical switch network subsystem 110 also includes at least K bridge optical switches 130 and K bridge top switches 150, where M, N, and K are all positive integers. The number of second optical switch network subsystems 210 is K, and the total number of upstream optical switches 220 in the system is M × K. For example, in the cluster-based distributed virtual circuit-type optical switch network system 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention (as shown in FIG. 4), each first optical switch network subsystem 110 is composed of seven downstream optical switches 120 and two bridge optical switches 130 (i.e., N = 7, K = 2). Each first optical switch network subsystem 110 has a 3 × 3 connection configuration, with a total of nine optical switches. In the same embodiment, the lower optical switch network module 100 of the cluster-based distributed virtual circuit optical switch network system 1000 includes four horizontally arranged and four vertically arranged first optical switch network subsystems 110 (i.e., M=16). This embodiment illustrates an example of a first optical switch network subsystem 110 consisting of 16 clusters. In actual applications, the number of clusters can be adjusted based on different network topology designs and bandwidth requirements. A symmetrical arrangement (e.g., 3x3, 4x4, or 5x5) with the same number of clusters in the horizontal and vertical directions, or an asymmetrical arrangement (e.g., 2x1, 3x2, or 5x4) can be adopted to meet different network connection configuration requirements. The number and arrangement of the first optical switch network subsystems 110 can be adjusted based on actual bandwidth requirements, traffic distribution, and connection configuration expansion requirements, and are not limited here. The number of top switches 140 connected to the lower optical switches 120 is seven. The number of bridge top switches 150 connected to the upper optical switch 220 and the bridge optical switch 130 is two.The upper optical switch network module 200 is composed of two second optical switch network subsystems 210, the number of which corresponds to the number of bridge optical switches 130 arranged in each first optical switch network subsystem 110. Because each first optical switch network subsystem 110 includes the same number of bridge optical switches 130, the total number of upper optical switches 220, 220' is M×K=16×2=32. This connection configuration ensures the stability of network operation and improves the transmission efficiency of optical signals. In this embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, the total number of optical switches used in the cluster-based distributed virtual circuit optical switch network system 1000 is the M×(N+K) optical switches in the first optical switch network subsystem 110 plus the M×K optical switches in the second optical switch network subsystem 210. In this embodiment, the total number of optical switches arranged in the cluster-based distributed virtual circuit optical switch network system 1000 is 176, and by adopting the same specifications for these optical switches, construction costs can be reduced.

[0033] As described above, the present invention can employ the first optical switch network subsystem 110 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. Each first optical switch network subsystem 110 has a 5x5 topology with a total of 25 optical switches. In practice, the number of optical switches in each first optical switch network subsystem 110 can be set based on different transmission requirements. For example, it can correspond to at least 2x2, 3x3, 4x4, 5x5, or even 6x6, 7x7, or even larger optical switch configurations. The specific number can be optimized based on the bandwidth requirements, topology design, and optical switch scale of the actual application, but is not limited thereto.

[0034] In this embodiment of the present invention, the upper optical switch 220, the lower optical switch 120, and the bridge optical switch 130 have the same internal design and specifications. In practical applications, it is assumed that all optical switches are designed to conform to a 5x5 topology in the first optical switch network subsystem 110. Each optical switch is connected to four other optical switches vertically and horizontally (as shown in Figures 1 and 2). The arrangement of wavelength selective switches (WSS) within each optical switch corresponds to a 5x5 structure. In this embodiment, when each optical switch is designed according to the above specifications, the first optical switch network subsystem 110 has a 5x5 topology. The maximum number of optical switches used in each first optical switch network subsystem 110 is a total of 25, with a 5x5 configuration. However, smaller configurations such as 4x4 and 3x3 are also applicable. Similarly, the optical switches in the second optical switch network subsystem 210 conform to a 5x5 topology and are also applicable to network connection configurations of different scales, such as 4x4 and 3x3. The unified internal specifications of the optical switch provide greater adaptability and allow for flexible configuration based on actual application needs, improving the overall system's operational performance and scalability while achieving lower construction costs.

[0035] However, in other embodiments of the present invention, the upper optical switch 220, the lower optical switch 120, and the bridge optical switch 130 may have different internal designs, provided that the wavelengths of the optical signal transmission and reception are consistent with each other. The top switch 140 and the bridge top switch 150 may also have different internal designs. The internal designs of the optical switches and top switches are optimally configured based on actual data transmission needs, meeting, but not limited to, different topology and traffic management requirements. Using optical switches and top switches with the same specifications contributes to reducing construction costs and is a better solution.

[0036] Next, the optical signal transmission process will be described in detail. When an optical signal is transmitted within the same cluster, the optical signal is transmitted via a lower optical switch 120 within the same first optical switch network subsystem 110. When an optical signal is transmitted between different clusters, as shown in Figures 6 to 8, the optical signal is transmitted from one top switch 140 to a lower optical switch 120 within the first optical switch network subsystem 110. Then, the optical signal is transmitted to at least one bridge optical switch 130, and then transmitted to at least one second optical switch network subsystem 210 via at least one bridge upper optical switch 150 and upper optical switch 220. Finally, the optical signal is transmitted to another first optical switch network subsystem 110 via another upper optical switch 220 in the second optical switch network subsystem 210.

[0037] The following description will be made with reference to Figures 7 and 8. When data is sent from a source server rack 160 to a destination server rack 160, the transmission route is as shown by arrow W1 in Figure 7. The procedure will be described below.

[0038] Step 1: As shown in the left diagram of Figure 8, the source server rack 160 converts data into an optical signal through the top switch 140 in the first optical switch network subsystem 110 and transmits it to the downstream optical switch 120 of the first optical switch network subsystem 110. The optical signal is then transmitted to the bridge optical switch 130 in the first optical switch network subsystem 110 and transmitted to the upstream optical switch 220 of the second optical switch network subsystem 210 via the bridge top switch 150. The bridge optical switch 130 of the first optical switch network subsystem 110 can receive an optical signal transmitted from any server rack 160 in the same first optical switch network subsystem 110. Optical signal transmission between different first optical switch network subsystems 110 is realized through the bridge optical switch 130 and the second optical switch network subsystem 210.

[0039] Step 2: As shown in FIG. 7, the upstream optical switch 220 transmits the optical signal through the second optical switch network subsystem 210 to the upstream optical switch 220 of another first optical switch network subsystem 110 within the second optical switch network subsystem 210 .

[0040] Step 3: As shown in the right diagram of Figure 8, the upper optical switch 220 of another first optical switch network subsystem 110 transmits the optical signal to the bridge optical switch 130 in the first optical switch network subsystem 110 via the bridge top switch 150. The bridge optical switch 130 transmits the optical signal to the lower optical switch 120 corresponding to the destination server rack 160 in the first optical switch network subsystem 110. The optical signal is transmitted to the destination server rack 160 via the top switch 140 of the first optical switch network subsystem 110, completing the data transmission.

[0041] Next, optical signal transmission between the first optical switch network subsystem 110 and the second optical switch network subsystem 210 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 6, each bridge-top switch 150 includes multiple optical transceivers 151. The optical transceivers 151 are connected to the bridge optical switch 130 and the upper-level optical switch 220. The bridge-top switch 150 is an electrical switch. When an optical signal is transmitted between clusters via the bridge-top switch 150, the optical transceiver 151 performs optical-electrical-optical signal conversion, allowing the wavelength of the optical signal to be reselected. Specifically, when an optical signal is transmitted from the bridge optical switch 130 to the bridge-top switch 150, the optical transceiver 151 in the bridge-top switch 150 converts the optical signal into an electrical signal. Then, when the electrical signal is transmitted to the upper-level optical switch 220, the optical transceiver 151 converts the electrical signal back into an optical signal. This optical-electrical conversion process allows the wavelength of the optical signal to be reselected. For example, when an optical signal is transmitted from the bridge optical switch 130 of the first optical switch network subsystem 110 to the bridge top switch 150, the wavelength of the optical signal is λ1. After photoelectric conversion, when the optical signal enters the top optical switch 220, it can be converted to a wavelength of λ2 and transmitted to another first optical switch network subsystem 110 at this different wavelength. This design enables dynamic wavelength adjustment during the optical signal transmission process between clusters, thereby improving the spectrum utilization efficiency of the network, increasing the available optical path selection, and optimizing overall resource allocation.

[0042] As described above, the present invention proposes a cluster-based distributed virtual circuit optical switch network system including multiple first optical switch network subsystems. Each first optical switch network subsystem is defined as a cluster. Each cluster includes multiple optical switches. These optical switches form an optical switch network system with horizontal and vertical full-mesh connections. The optical switches include downstream optical switches and bridge optical switches. Each cluster includes a top switch connected to a server rack and a bridge top switch connected to a second optical switch network subsystem. Unlike conventional technology, the present invention adds at least one second optical switch network subsystem. The second optical switch network subsystem is composed of multiple upstream optical switches. The upstream optical switches in each second optical switch network subsystem are connected to different first optical switch network subsystems. An optical signal is transmitted from a downstream optical switch in the first optical switch network subsystem to a bridge optical switch. The optical signal is transmitted to an upstream optical switch in the second optical switch network subsystem via a bridge top switch. The optical signal is transmitted to another upstream optical switch via optical signal transmission, and finally to another first optical switch network subsystem.

[0043] This novel topology of the two-layer optical switch network subsystem enables highly efficient transmission of server rack data between different clusters. Furthermore, the second optical switch network subsystem, which handles optical signal transmission between different clusters, can determine the number of upper optical switches and the second optical switch network subsystem based on traffic demand. The independent second optical switch network subsystem provides multiple optical path selection, improving system flexibility and reliability. Each optical switch employs the same unified specifications, reducing construction costs. Furthermore, the bridge-top switch performs optical-electrical signal conversion and reselects the wavelength of optical signals, improving network applicability and scalability. The stacked structure of this optical switch network subsystem supports data transmission between clusters and provides highly efficient and reliable optical network services. This system is particularly applicable to applications requiring large-scale data transmission, low latency, and high bandwidth, such as AI data centers and cloud computing infrastructure.

[0044] The above examples are intended to explain embodiments of the present invention and to explain the characteristic configurations of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the above examples. Modifications or equivalent arrangements that can be easily made by those skilled in the art are also within the scope of the present invention. The scope of protection of the rights of the present invention is based on the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 10 Optical Switch Network 20 Optical Switch 40 Top Switch 60 server racks 1000 Cluster-based Distributed Virtual Circuit Optical Switch Network System 100 Subordinate Optical Switch Network Module 110 First Optical Switch Network Subsystem 120 Lower Optical Switch 130 Bridge Optical Switch 140 Top Switch 150 Bridge top switch 151 Optical Transceiver 160 Server Racks 200 Upper Optical Switch Network Module 210 Second Optical Switch Network Subsystem 210' Second Optical Switch Network Subsystem 220 Upper Optical Switch 220' Upper Optical Switch 300 Optical Fiber W1 Arrow

Claims

1. 1. A cluster-based distributed virtual circuit optical switch network system for transmitting a plurality of optical signals, comprising: a lower optical switch network module and an upper optical switch network module; The lower optical switch network module includes a plurality of first optical switch network subsystems, each of which is defined as a cluster; the upper optical switch network module includes at least one second optical switch network subsystem, the at least one second optical switch network subsystem includes a plurality of interconnected upper optical switches, the upper optical switches being respectively connected to the first optical switch network subsystem; A cluster-based distributed virtual circuit optical switch network system, wherein when the optical signal is transmitted between the clusters, the optical signal is transmitted from one of the first optical switch network subsystems to another of the first optical switch network subsystems via the upper optical switch of the at least one second optical switch network subsystem.

2. each said first optical switch network subsystem includes a plurality of lower optical switches, at least one bridge optical switch, a plurality of top switches, and at least one bridge top switch; 2. The cluster-based distributed virtual circuit type optical switch network system of claim 1, wherein in each of the first optical switch network subsystems, the lower optical switch is connected to the top switch, the at least one bridge optical switch is connected to the at least one bridge top switch, and the lower optical switch and the at least one bridge optical switch are interconnected, thereby forming the cluster.

3. 3. The cluster-based distributed virtual circuit type optical switch network system according to claim 2, wherein each of the upper optical switches is connected to the at least one bridge-top switch, and the lower optical switch network module and the upper optical switch network module are interconnected through the at least one bridge-top switch.

4. When the optical signals are transmitted within the same cluster, the optical signals are transmitted through the lower optical switches within the same first optical switch network subsystem; 4. The cluster-based distributed virtual circuit type optical switch network system of claim 3, wherein when the optical signal is transmitted between different clusters, the optical signal is transmitted from one of the top switches to the lower optical switch in the first optical switch network subsystem, further to the at least one bridge optical switch, transmitted to the at least one second optical switch network subsystem through the at least one bridge top switch and the upper optical switch, and further transmitted to another of the first optical switch network subsystems via another upper optical switch of the at least one second optical switch network subsystem.

5. the at least one bridge-top switch having a plurality of optical transceivers; 5. The cluster-based distributed virtual circuit optical switch network system of claim 4, wherein when the optical signal is transmitted between the clusters via the at least one bridgetop switch, the optical transceiver performs optical-electrical-optical signal conversion, thereby enabling wavelength selection of the optical signal.

6. the at least one second optical switch network subsystem is comprised of a plurality of second optical switch network subsystems; 4. The cluster-based distributed virtual circuit optical switch network system according to claim 3, wherein each of said second optical switch network subsystems is independent of each other and is not directly interconnected.

7. the at least one bridge top switch includes a plurality of bridge top switches; the at least one bridge optical switch includes a plurality of bridge optical switches; 7. The cluster-based distributed virtual circuit type optical switch network system according to claim 6, wherein each of the second optical switch network subsystems is connected to the bridge top switch, and the optical signal can be transmitted to different clusters via different second optical switch network subsystems.

8. 4. The cluster-based distributed virtual circuit type optical switch network system according to claim 3, wherein the number of the first optical switch network subsystems is defined as M, the number of the lower optical switches and the top switches in each of the first optical switch network subsystems is defined as N, the number of the at least one bridge top switch and the at least one bridge optical switch in each of the first optical switch network subsystems is defined as K, and the total number of optical switches in the first optical switch network subsystems is (N+K)×M, where M, N, and K are positive integers.

9. 9. The cluster-based distributed virtual circuit type optical switch network system according to claim 8, wherein the number of said at least one second optical switch network subsystem is K, and the number of said upper optical switches is M×K.

10. 4. The cluster-based distributed virtual circuit type optical switch network system according to claim 3, wherein each of the first optical switch network subsystems is connected to a plurality of server racks via the corresponding top switch.

11. 3. The cluster-based distributed virtual circuit type optical switch network system according to claim 2, wherein the lower optical switches and the at least one bridge optical switch in each of the first optical switch network subsystems are interconnected in a vertical and horizontal full-mesh manner by a plurality of optical fibers, and the upper optical switches in the at least one second optical switch network subsystem are interconnected in a vertical and horizontal full-mesh manner by a plurality of optical fibers.

12. 3. The cluster-based distributed virtual circuit type optical switch network system according to claim 2, wherein the upper optical switch, the lower optical switch, and the bridge optical switch have the same internal design, the top switch and the bridge top switch have the same internal design, and a network connection method between the lower optical switches in the first optical switch network subsystem is the same as a network connection method between the upper optical switches in the at least one second optical switch network subsystem.

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