Egress Schedule Module Cell Group Scheduling Switch Fabric
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transmission of cells via a switch fabric is disrupted due to congestion at queues, leading to decreased data transfer rates and potential loss of cells due to buffer overflow, especially when cells are transmitted on a cell-by-cell basis or when the switch fabric is scaled.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an egress schedule module that coordinates the transmission of groups of cells through a multi-stage switch fabric by determining availability at the egress port and scheduling transmission only when the port is available, thereby reducing buffering and ensuring efficient data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cells are transmitted via a switch fabric on a cell-by-cell basis using known scheduling strategies, then the switch fabric can handle individual cell transmissions, but transmission is disrupted due to congestion at queues leading to decreased data transfer rates and potential cell loss
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the transmission process into group-based scheduling units rather than individual cell-by-cell transmissions. By organizing cells into groups and scheduling them collectively through the egress schedule module, the system reduces the frequency of transmission requests and minimizes queue congestion, thereby maintaining high data transfer rates while improving transmission reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The egress schedule module performs preliminary scheduling actions by determining in advance whether an egress port is available before authorizing transmission of a group of cells. This preliminary availability check prevents transmission requests from being authorized when the port is busy, thereby avoiding queue congestion and transmission disruptions while maintaining efficient data transfer rates.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the switch fabric is scaled to handle more traffic, then capacity increases, but congestion problems are exacerbated and data transfer rates decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces dynamic scheduling control where the egress schedule module continuously monitors egress port availability and adjusts transmission authorization accordingly. This dynamic approach allows the switch fabric to adapt to varying traffic conditions and scaling requirements, maintaining optimal data transfer rates even as capacity increases and congestion risks rise.
Solution Approach 2:
The egress schedule module implements feedback mechanisms by receiving requests from ingress schedule modules, determining egress port availability, and authorizing or denying transmission based on real-time conditions. This feedback loop enables the system to respond to congestion conditions and maintain high data transfer rates as the switch fabric is scaled to handle increased traffic capacity.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional scheduling strategies are used, then implementation is simple, but buffer overflow occurs resulting in cell loss
Solution Approach 1:
The egress schedule module performs preliminary availability determination before authorizing transmission of cell groups. This preliminary action prevents buffer overflow by ensuring the egress port is ready to receive cells, thereby eliminating cell loss while maintaining relatively simple implementation through automated scheduling control.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method can include receiving at an egress schedule module a request to schedule transmission of a group of cells from an ingress queue through a switch fabric of a multi-stage switch. The ingress queue can be associated with an ingress stage of the multi-stage switch. The egress schedule module can be associated with an egress stage of the multi-stage switch. The method can also include determining, in response to the request, that an egress port at the egress stage of the multi-stage switch is available to transmit the group of cells from the multi-stage switch.