Cross Point Switch Lane Reordering for Network Interface Latency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Network devices face latency issues due to the need to reorder physical connections of network interfaces, which is typically achieved through additional components like reorder multiplexers, increasing processing latency and complexity.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing a cross point switch within the network device to reorder physical connections based on alignment information, eliminating the need for separate reorder multiplexers and reducing latency by integrating this function into the existing data path.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If reorder multiplexers are added to reorder physical connections, then lane reordering capability is improved, but device complexity and processing latency increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelane reordering capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cross-point switch is designed to perform multiple functions: it routes data between network interfaces and also performs lane reordering when needed. By making the cross-point switch universal, the patent eliminates the need for separate reorder multiplexers, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining lane reordering capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the lane reordering function with the existing cross-point switch structure. Instead of having separate reorder multiplexers, the cross-point switch is configured to perform both routing and reordering operations, merging multiple functions into a single component to reduce overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If reorder multiplexers are added to reorder physical connections, then lane reordering capability is improved, but processing latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelane reordering capabilityVSAvoidprocessing latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the lane reordering operation with the existing data routing path through the cross-point switch. Since the cross-point switch already processes data between interfaces, performing reordering within the same structure eliminates additional processing stages and reduces latency compared to using separate reorder multiplexers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate reorder multiplexers are used, then lane reordering function is achieved, but the number of components in data path increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelane reordering functionVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cross-point switch is designed as a universal component that can perform both data routing and lane reordering functions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate reorder multiplexers, reducing the total number of components in the data path while maintaining full lane reordering capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the lane reordering function with the existing cross-point switch, merging what would traditionally be separate components into one integrated structure. This reduces the number of components in the data path while achieving the same lane reordering function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11140097B2Cross point switch of network device for reordering lanes of network interfaces

Publication Date: 2021.10.05 ARISTA NETWORKS INC

AI summary

Some embodiments provide a network device that may receive alignment information at each physical connection of a network interface of the network device. Each alignment information includes a unique value for identifying a unique logical lane associated with the corresponding physical connection. The network device may determine the order of the unique logical lanes associated with the several physical connections based on the received alignment information. The network device may configure a cross point switch of the network device to reorder the physical connections so that the unique logical lanes associated with the physical connections are ordered according to a defined order.