FCoE Initiator Direct Target Access via WWN MAC Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing FCoE communication connections, the FCoE initiator requires forwarding through an FCoE forwarder, leading to unnecessary transmission delays and increased processing load on the forwarder.
Innovation Solution
The method involves acquiring a destination MAC address based on a WWN identifier to directly establish an FCoE communication connection with an FCoE target, bypassing the need for forwarding through an FCoE forwarder.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If FCoE initiator forwards through FCoE forwarder to access FC target, then communication connection can be established, but data transmission delay increases and processing load on forwarder increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the FCoE target from the traditional FC target architecture, allowing it to function independently without requiring forwarding through an FCoE forwarder. The FCoE target directly receives and processes FCoE frames, eliminating the unnecessary forwarding step and reducing transmission delay while maintaining reliable communication connection establishment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a name server as an intermediary to enable direct addressing. The name server maps WWN identifiers to MAC addresses, allowing the FCoE initiator to directly address the FCoE target without going through the FCoE forwarder. This intermediary mechanism enables direct communication while maintaining the structured addressing system.
2Reliability
If FCoE initiator forwards through FCoE forwarder to access FC target, then communication connection can be established, but processing load on FCoE forwarder increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the forwarding function from the FCoE target interaction, allowing FCoE targets to operate independently without requiring the FCoE forwarder to process their frames. This extraction reduces the processing burden on the forwarder while maintaining the reliability of communication connection establishment through direct FCoE target addressing.
Solution Approach 2:
The FCoE target performs self-identification and self-addressing using its WWN identifier mapped to a MAC address. The target independently manages its own communication parameters without requiring the FCoE forwarder to intervene in the framing and addressing processes, thereby reducing forwarder processing load while maintaining connection reliability.
3Reliability
If traditional FC network is used, then storage access can be provided, but device cost is high and maintenance is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the FCoE target functionality directly into the Ethernet network infrastructure, eliminating the need for separate FC switches and complex FC network components. By combining storage access capabilities with standard Ethernet networking, the system reduces device cost and maintenance complexity while maintaining reliable storage access through direct FCoE target addressing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables FCoE targets to function as universal network nodes that can be addressed directly using Ethernet-based MAC addresses derived from WWN identifiers. This universal addressing mechanism allows storage access to be provided through standard Ethernet infrastructure rather than requiring specialized FC hardware, reducing device complexity and maintenance requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, an apparatus, and a system for establishing an FCoE communication connection and a name server. According to a WWN world wide name identifier of a target to be accessed, a destination MAC address used to access the target to be accessed is acquired. According to the destination MAC address, a login operation is performed for the target to be accessed, to establish an FCoE fiber channel over Ethernet communication connection, so that an FCoE initiator may directly establish a communication connection with an FCoE target, thereby reducing data transmission delay and lightening the processing load of an original FCoE forwarder.