Fabric-Less Multi-Plane Connectivity for Packet Forwarding Engines

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional network devices with switch fabrics occupy valuable space and consume power resources, limiting their packet switching capabilities and efficiency, especially in smaller form factor designs.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a distributed non-blocking switch fabric component within each die of the network device, eliminating the need for a separate standalone switch fabric, which provides efficient all-to-all connectivity among packet forwarding components and allows for scalable, 100% utilization of switching resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a separate standalone switch fabric is used to connect packet forwarding components, then connectivity is provided, but space and power resources are consumed, limiting packet switching capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacket switching capabilitiesVSAvoidspace consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the switch fabric functionality into each packet forwarding component die, eliminating the need for a separate standalone switch fabric. Each die includes an integrated switch fabric component that connects to multiple packet forwarding components, combining what were previously separate functions into unified modules. This integration reduces overall space consumption while maintaining full connectivity capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the network device into multiple dies, with each die containing its own switch fabric component and packet forwarding components. This segmentation allows for distributed connectivity where each die can independently manage its switching resources while contributing to the overall network functionality, enabling scalable packet switching without requiring a centralized large-scale switch fabric.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If a separate standalone switch fabric is used to connect packet forwarding components, then connectivity is provided, but power resources are consumed, limiting packet switching capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacket switching capabilitiesVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the switch fabric functionality into each packet forwarding component die, eliminating the need for a separate standalone switch fabric. Each die includes an integrated switch fabric component that connects to multiple packet forwarding components, combining what were previously separate functions into unified modules. This integration reduces overall power consumption while maintaining full connectivity capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the network device into multiple dies, with each die containing its own switch fabric component and packet forwarding components. This segmentation allows for distributed connectivity where each die can independently manage its switching resources while contributing to the overall network functionality, enabling scalable packet switching without requiring a centralized large-scale switch fabric.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If a separate standalone switch fabric is used, then connectivity is provided, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveconnectivityVSAvoidswitch fabric architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the switch fabric functionality into each packet forwarding component die, eliminating the need for a separate standalone switch fabric. Each die includes an integrated switch fabric component that connects to multiple packet forwarding components, combining what were previously separate functions into unified modules. This integration simplifies the overall architecture by removing the need for separate switch fabric management while maintaining full connectivity capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the network device into multiple dies, with each die containing its own switch fabric component and packet forwarding components. This segmentation allows for distributed connectivity where each die can independently manage its switching resources while contributing to the overall network functionality, enabling scalable packet switching without requiring a centralized large-scale switch fabric.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250323864A1Scalable multi-plane fabric-less connectivity for packet forwarding engine

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 JUNIPER NETWORKS INC

AI summary

A network device includes one or more dies, wherein each die, of the one or more dies includes one or more packet forwarding components and a switch fabric component. The switch fabric component of a particular die, of the one or more dies, may be connected to the one or more forwarding components of the particular die, and may be configured to provide a switching plane for the one or more packet forwarding components of the particular die. A first die, of the one or more dies, may be connected to the one or more packet forwarding components of a second die of the one or more dies, and may be configured to provide a switching plane for the one or more packet forwarding components of the second die.