Cell Forwarding Order Selection for Packet Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
In packet switching devices, the limited resources lead to inefficiencies in forwarding cells of packets, as all cells cannot be processed simultaneously, resulting in bandwidth and latency unfairness due to the fixed order of packet forwarding based on timestamps and ingress point identifiers.
Innovation Solution
A method where cells with earlier timestamps are forwarded before those with later timestamps, and tie-breaking values are determined through manipulation of ingress point identifiers to vary the order, ensuring a deterministic and bounded change in the overall ordering, thereby minimizing jitter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cells are forwarded in a fixed order based on timestamps and ingress point identifiers, then the forwarding process is simple and deterministic, but bandwidth and latency fairness deteriorates due to resource limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the tie-breaking selection ordering variable rather than fixed. The ordering is dynamically adjusted based on timestamp values, allowing the system to adapt its cell selection behavior to different time contexts while maintaining deterministic operation. This resolves the contradiction by enabling fairness improvements without sacrificing operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of tie-breaking selection ordering based on timestamp values. By varying this ordering parameter dynamically, the system can optimize bandwidth and latency fairness while maintaining a simple forwarding process. The parameter change allows the same forwarding mechanism to adapt to different conditions without increasing complexity.
2Productivity
If all cells are forwarded simultaneously, then bandwidth utilization is maximized, but resource limitations prevent this from being achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing a deterministic tie-breaking selection ordering based on timestamp values before cells need to be forwarded. This allows the system to efficiently manage cell forwarding without requiring complex real-time resource allocation decisions, thereby improving bandwidth utilization within the constraints of available resources.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed tie-breaking selection ordering is used for cells with the same timestamp, then the forwarding order is deterministic, but jitter increases due to unfair resource allocation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the tie-breaking selection ordering dynamic by varying it based on timestamp values. This allows the system to maintain determinism (every cell with the same timestamp receives consistent treatment) while reducing jitter through fairer resource allocation across different timestamp groups. The dynamic ordering prevents any single ingress point from consistently monopolizing resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the tie-breaking selection ordering parameter based on timestamp values to achieve both determinism and reduced jitter. By varying this parameter, the system ensures that cells from different ingress points receive equitable access to forwarding resources while maintaining predictable, deterministic behavior for cells with identical timestamps.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, packets are sent a packet switching mechanism of a packet switching device, which includes partitioning each particular packet into a plurality of cells with each particular packet and cell derived therefrom associated with a same particular timestamp and a same particular ingress point identifier representing an ingress point of a plurality of ingress points of the packet switching mechanism. These cells are sent through the packet switching mechanism by selecting and forwarding, at each of a plurality of points within the packet switching mechanism. A tie-breaking value is determined based on a manipulation of ingress point identifier associated with said identifiable cell in a manner to vary the tie-breaking selection ordering of ingress point identifiers for different timestamp values. The tie-breaking value is used in selecting a next cell to forward when cells are associated with a same timestamp.