Fabric Extension Function for WAN LAN Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current low-loss and lossless network technologies are limited to local area networks (LANs) due to distance constraints, typically within 1 km, and struggle to maintain high bandwidth utilization and low latency over wide area networks (WANs).
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a fabric extension function that maps LAN switching fabric interfaces to pseudo-ports, allowing for the transmission and reception of datagrams across WANs using credit-based or XON/XOFF flow control, maintaining lossless characteristics and high bandwidth utilization by adjusting buffer depths based on measured delay.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If LAN switching fabric technologies are used over WANs, then bandwidth utilization and latency performance can be maintained, but distance constraints limit the network to local area only
Solution Approach 1:
A fabric extension function acts as an intermediary device that bridges LAN switching fabric technology with WAN connectivity. This intermediary maps LAN fabric interfaces to pseudo-ports and translates fabric protocols for WAN transmission, enabling lossless fabric communication over long distances while maintaining high bandwidth utilization and low latency performance
Solution Approach 2:
The network is segmented into fabric-extended segments connected via WAN links. Each segment maintains independent fabric switching fabric, and the fabric extension function creates virtual fabric ports that span across WAN boundaries, allowing the fabric architecture to be divided and distributed over geographic distances while preserving fabric performance characteristics
2Length of stationary object
If traditional WAN technologies are used, then long distance connectivity is achieved, but bandwidth utilization drops and latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts flow control parameters including buffer depths and credit allocations based on measured WAN link delay. By changing these parameters in response to actual network conditions, the fabric extension function maintains optimal bandwidth utilization over long distance WAN connections, preventing both buffer overflow and underutilization
3Reliability
If buffer depths are increased to maintain lossless characteristics over WAN, then memory requirements and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric extension function implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor WAN link delay and adjust buffer depths dynamically. This feedback control allows the system to maintain lossless fabric characteristics over WAN connections while optimizing buffer utilization, avoiding both excessive memory allocation and insufficient buffering that would cause packet loss
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods accessing remote digital data over a wide area network (WAN) are disclosed. In an embodiment, a network device is disclosed. The network device includes a local area network (LAN) switching fabric physical interface configured to communicate according to a LAN switching fabric protocol, a WAN physical interface configured to communicate according to a WAN protocol, and a fabric extension function configured to map LAN switching fabric interfaces to pseudo-ports, map pseudo-ports to WAN interfaces, and transmit LAN fabric datagrams received at the LAN switching fabric physical interface from the WAN physical interface via a mapped pseudo-port and a corresponding WAN interface.