Adaptive Packet Forwarding Circuit Reducing Processing Delays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional store-forward network technologies experience high processing delays, which are inadequate for modern applications requiring low delays and high bandwidths, such as data centers.
Innovation Solution
A packet storing and forwarding method that employs an adaptive forwarding mode, where packets are processed in parallel with their reception and storage, allowing processing to commence after the head cell is received, reducing the duration of packet stay in the device and lowering delays, while still supporting switching between ports with different rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional store-forward mode is used to receive and store packets integrally before forwarding, then packet integrality and validity can be checked, but processing delay becomes relatively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the packet into a head cell and remaining cells. The head cell contains control information that enables the network processor to start processing the packet immediately upon receipt, while the remaining cells are stored in a packet buffer. This segmentation allows parallel processing of the head cell and reception of remaining cells, resolving the contradiction between ensuring packet integrity and reducing processing delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by processing the head cell and extracting control information before the entire packet is received. The network processor can perform preliminary processing operations on the head cell immediately, and subsequent processing can continue in parallel with the reception of remaining cells, thereby reducing overall processing delay while maintaining packet integrity through the stored remaining cells.
2Adaptability or versatility
If store-forward mode is used to support switching between ports with different rates, then rate adaptation is enabled, but processing delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments packets into head cells and remaining cells, allowing the head cell to be processed immediately for rate adaptation decisions while remaining cells are buffered. This enables the system to adapt to different port rates without waiting for the entire packet, thus reducing processing delay while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic processing where the processing timing adapts based on packet reception status. The network processor can dynamically start processing the head cell immediately and continue processing in parallel with the reception of remaining cells, creating a dynamic forwarding mechanism that reduces delay while supporting rate adaptation between ports with different rates.
3Loss of time
If adaptive forwarding mode is implemented to process packets in parallel with reception, then processing delay is reduced, but packet buffer requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments packets into head cells and remaining cells, where only the remaining cells are stored in the packet buffer while the head cell is processed immediately. This segmentation significantly reduces the buffer requirement compared to storing entire packets, as only the portion of the packet not yet processed needs to be buffered during parallel processing.
Data Source
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AI summary
A packet storing and forwarding method and circuit, and a device are disclosed, so as to provide a low-delay storing and forwarding technology. The method includes: receiving and storing cells of a packet, where the cells of the packet include a head cell; obtaining control information according to the head cell, where the control information includes a forwarding mode of the packet; processing the packet according to the forwarding mode of the packet, and if the forwarding mode of the packet is store-forward, processing the packet after receiving and storing all the cells of the packet; or if the forwarding mode of the packet is adaptive forwarding, processing the packet at the same time when receiving and storing remaining cells of the packet; and forwarding, after the processing is finished, the packet after determining that all the cells of the packet have been received and stored.