Endpoint Controller Dual Ports Packet Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Packet switching networks face challenges in distinguishing and managing different types of information packets with varying service time requirements, leading to inefficiencies in data transfer and processing latency.

Innovation Solution

An end point controller with dual ingress and egress ports is implemented, allowing for separate management of high-throughput and low-latency packets, utilizing a multiplexer to selectively route packets through either a store and forward queue or a low-latency bypass path, ensuring efficient processing and transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If all incoming packets are treated the same by the physical layer and stored in a single queue, then device complexity is reduced, but service time requirements for different packet types cannot be differentiated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephysical layer structureVSAvoidpacket type differentiation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The physical layer is segmented into multiple independent ports (first egress port, second egress port) that can independently transmit different packet types. This segmentation allows the system to differentiate between control information packets and data packets while maintaining simplicity within each port's operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different ports are assigned different functional qualities: one port is optimized for high-throughput data transmission with store-and-forward queuing, while another port is optimized for low-latency control packet transmission with direct coupling. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing each port to specialize in its packet type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If packets are transmitted through a store and forward queue, then throughput is improved, but latency increases for time-sensitive control packets

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata throughputVSAvoidpacket latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission path is segmented into two separate channels: a store-and-forward path for data packets that prioritizes throughput, and a direct-coupling path for control packets that prioritizes low latency. This segmentation allows each packet type to use the optimal transmission method for its requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary mechanism (the multiplexer and port selection logic) that directs control packets through a bypass path that eliminates the store-and-forward queue, thereby reducing latency without affecting the throughput-optimized path for data packets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of time

If control information packets are prioritized through low-latency paths, then service time for control packets is reduced, but complexity of packet routing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol packet service timeVSAvoidrouting management

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The routing complexity is reduced by segmenting packet types into distinct ports with dedicated transmission paths. Control packets are assigned to a specific port that directly couples to the output, eliminating the need for complex queuing and scheduling decisions. This segmentation simplifies routing management while achieving low latency for control packets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If independent egress ports are used for different packet types, then service time requirements are met, but device complexity and resource utilization increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacket type handlingVSAvoidport configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The egress ports are designed with multi-functionality to reduce overall device complexity. Each port can handle both control and data packets, but the system configures them to specialize in one type for optimal performance. This universality allows flexible configuration while maintaining the benefits of dedicated paths when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7729239B1Packet switching network end point controller

Publication Date: 2010.06.01 EMC IP HLDG CO LLC

AI summary

An end point controller includes two of ingress/egress port pairs. A first one of the ingress/egress ports is adapted to send and receive one of a pair of types of information packets and a second one of the ingress/egress ports is adapted to send and receive the other one of the pair of types of information packets. A controller is coupled to the two port pairs for coupling one of ingress/egress ports to an input/output port selectively in accordance with the type of the information packet on the ingress/egress ports and the availability of the end point controller to a network. One of the egress ports is directly coupled to the output port to the network if the information packet is at such port and the end point controller has been granted access to the network while other information at the pair of egress ports is buffered prior to being coupled to the output. In like fashion, the input port from the network is directly coupled to one of the ingress ports if the information packet is of the type of information packet destined for such ingress port, said port being available to transmit the packet.