Distributed Packet Transformation Storage Across Switch Port Memory
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing switches face challenges in efficiently storing a large volume of packet transformation information due to physical limitations of memory units, leading to over-utilization of some ports and under-utilization of others, with redundant entries and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a selection mechanism to determine a target port for storing transformation information, distributing entries across memory units, and caching information locally or remotely as needed, ensuring efficient retrieval and caching to maintain line-rate packet forwarding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If transformation information is stored in memory units of switch ports, then packet forwarding capability is enabled, but memory capacity is limited and cannot store large volume of transformation information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments transformation information storage across multiple memory units distributed at different switch ports. Instead of concentrating all transformation information in a single centralized memory, the system divides the storage function across multiple distributed memory units, each located at different ports. This segmentation allows the network to collectively store a much larger volume of transformation information than any single memory unit could hold alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimension centralized storage model to a multi-dimensional distributed storage model. Transformation information is stored across multiple dimensions (different ports, different memory units) rather than in a single location. This dimensional expansion allows the system to scale storage capacity by adding more ports and memory units without being constrained by the capacity of any single memory unit.
2Speed
If transformation information is stored at specific ports, then retrieval speed is improved, but some ports become over-utilized while others remain under-utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different ports to have different roles in storing and retrieving transformation information based on their specific needs and characteristics. Each port can store transformation information locally for immediate retrieval, providing fast access for packets arriving at that port. Simultaneously, ports can request and cache transformation information from other ports, creating a tailored storage-retrieval strategy for each port that optimizes both speed and utilization balance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptation where ports can change their storage and retrieval behavior based on current traffic patterns and memory utilization states. When a port's local memory becomes full or under-utilized, it can dynamically request transformation information from other ports. This dynamic behavior allows the system to adapt to changing conditions and maintain balanced utilization across ports while preserving fast local retrieval when possible.
3Loss of time
If transformation information is cached locally at ingress ports, then packet forwarding latency is reduced, but memory capacity at each port is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having ports proactively cache transformation information that they anticipate will be needed for packet forwarding. When a port receives packets, it can pre-fetch and cache the associated transformation information from other ports before actual forwarding is needed. This preliminary caching action reduces forwarding latency by ensuring the information is already available locally, while the port only consumes memory capacity for information it has determined will be useful.
Data Source
AI summary
The efficient storage of transformation information in a switch is provided. A respective port of the switch can include a memory device capable of storing transformation information. During operation, the switch can apply a selection mechanism to the transformation information learned at the switch for identifying a target port. The switch can then store the information in the memory device of the target port. Upon receiving a packet, the ingress port can apply the selection mechanism to the header information of the packet for determining a location of a first piece of transformation information associated with the packet. The ingress port can obtain the first piece of transformation information by looking up the header information in the location and storing it in a local memory device. The ingress port can then transform the packet based on the first piece of transformation information for determining an egress port for the packet.