FCoE Routing Bridge Unified Data Plane TRILL Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Fiber Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) technology fails to provide seamless integration between FC/FCoE and Ethernet networks, requiring separate data and control planes, which increases complexity and costs in unified data center networks.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves an apparatus and method for forwarding FCoE frames over a unified data center network using a single data and control plane, leveraging TRILL-based link-state routing protocols, where FCoE Routing Bridges (FRBs) associate virtual N_Port IDs with nicknames and manage forwarding tables to encapsulate and route FCoE frames within an Ethernet network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If FCoE switches use separate data and control planes to manage FCoE frames and Ethernet frames, then FCoE and Ethernet networks can be supported, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the FCoE data plane and Ethernet data plane into a single unified data plane. The FCoE routing bridge uses a common forwarding table that stores both FCoE destination address-to-port mappings and Ethernet MAC address-to-port mappings. This unified structure allows the switch to forward both FCoE frames and Ethernet frames through the same data plane, eliminating the need for separate data planes and control planes while maintaining support for both network types.
2Reliability
If FCoE networks use FSPF routing protocol and Ethernet networks use link-state routing protocols, then each network can operate independently, but routing compatibility issues arise in unified networks
Solution Approach 1:
The FCoE routing bridge acts as an intermediary that translates between FSPF routing information and link-state routing protocol information. The bridge receives FSPF routing updates for FCoE destinations, converts this information into a format compatible with link-state routing protocols, and forwards it to Ethernet network devices. This mediation enables seamless integration of FCoE and Ethernet networks using different routing protocols without compromising independent operation or compatibility.
3Reliability
If FCoE switches forward FCoE frames hop-by-hop using FC Destination_Identifier, then FC networking is maintained, but integration with Ethernet L2MP technologies is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the forwarding parameter from FC Destination_Identifier (D_ID) to Ethernet destination MAC address. The FCoE routing bridge extracts the destination MAC address from the FCoE frame header and uses this address to perform forwarding table lookups. This parameter change enables the bridge to integrate with Ethernet L2MP technologies while maintaining FC networking capability through the encapsulated FCoE frames. The bridge effectively translates FC addressing parameters to Ethernet addressing parameters for forwarding decisions.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for forwarding an Fiber Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) data frame into an Ethernet network comprising a processor configured to receive a data frame on a input port, obtain a first destination address and a virtual local area network identifier (VID), determine whether the first destination address and the VID matches an entry within a forwarding table, construct a key when the first destination address and VID matches the entry and the data frame is a FCoE frame, and forward the data frame as an outgoing data frame via an output port when the key matches a rule that permits forwarding the data frame.