Combined Area Domain Table for Fiber Channel Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fibre channel switch mechanisms for determining forwarding paths are expensive, inefficient, and inflexible, often requiring multiple lookups to tables for packet forwarding, which hampers effective and efficient transmission of fibre channel packets.
Innovation Solution
A combined area table/domain table (ATDT) is used to efficiently forward fibre channel packets by referencing destination information, allowing for load balancing and policy-based forwarding with a single lookup, enabling scalable and cost-effective implementation of forwarding information bases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional forwarding mechanisms use multiple tables for path determination, then forwarding accuracy is maintained, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the area table and domain table into a single unified forwarding table. This merging eliminates the need for sequential lookups across multiple tables, reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining the ability to accurately determine forwarding paths through a single consolidated table structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified forwarding table serves multiple functions simultaneously: it performs both area-based and domain-based forwarding lookups, supports load balancing across multiple paths, and enables policy-based forwarding decisions. This multi-functionality replaces what previously required separate specialized tables, reducing overall system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If multiple table lookups are performed for forwarding determination, then accurate path selection is achieved, but forwarding speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging area and domain tables into a single unified forwarding table, the patent enables path determination through a single lookup operation rather than multiple sequential lookups. This consolidation maintains accurate path selection capability while significantly improving forwarding speed by eliminating the time required for multiple table accesses.
3Reliability
If expensive hardware components are used for forwarding determination, then forwarding reliability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves reliable forwarding determination using a unified forwarding table that consolidates multiple functions into a single structure. This approach reduces hardware requirements and manufacturing complexity compared to implementing separate area and domain tables, while maintaining forwarding reliability through the comprehensive nature of the unified table.
Data Source
AI summary
According to the present invention, methods and apparatus are provided to improve the techniques and mechanisms for forwarding packets at a fiber channel switch. A combined area table/domain table (ATDT) is accessed using destination information associated with a fiber channel packet. Area/port or domain information can be used to address entries in the ATDT. Each entry provides one or more paths to a given destination. Traffic shaping, load balancing, and other policy based forwarding considerations can be applied.