FCoE Switch Registration for ENode Login Ambiguity

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Solution Overview

Problem

In Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) systems, when an End Node (ENode) is connected to multiple FCoE switches, it faces difficulty in determining which switch to log in to, as the existing FCoE Initialization Protocol (FIP) does not effectively handle multiple switch connections, leading to ambiguity and potential connectivity issues.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves sending a registration request packet that includes identification information to allow only the FCoE switch connected to the target network to register the access requesting apparatus, followed by an explorer packet, ensuring that only the appropriate switch responds, thus enabling the ENode to connect to the correct FCoE switch.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an ENode is connected to multiple FCoE switches, then network redundancy and scalability are improved, but the ENode cannot determine which switch to log in to, causing connectivity ambiguity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork scalabilityVSAvoidlogin process clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary registration of the ENode's identification information in the FCoE switch before the actual login process. When an ENode sends an explorer packet, the FCoE switch checks if the ENode's ID is already registered. Only the switch where the ENode is registered will respond with a login response packet, eliminating ambiguity in multi-switch environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The FCoE switch provides feedback by checking the registration status of the ENode's identification information before responding to login requests. The switch sends a login response packet only if the ENode is registered in that switch, creating a feedback mechanism that guides the ENode to the correct switch for login

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the FCoE switch responds to all explorer packets in a multi-switch environment, then connectivity options increase, but multiple responses cause ambiguity and login failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection optionsVSAvoidlogin success rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Each FCoE switch has a unique local quality - whether or not a specific ENode's identification information is registered in that switch. This local distinction allows switches to differentiate their responses: only the switch with matching registration information responds to the explorer packet, ensuring reliable single-point login while maintaining multi-switch architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS8984088B2Communication control apparatus, communication system, information processing apparatus, and communication control method

Publication Date: 2015.03.17 FSAS TECH INC

AI summary

In a communication control apparatus, a first receiving unit receives a registration request packet which is generated so as to enable the communication control apparatus to recognize an access requested apparatus, and if determining that the access requested apparatus recognized from the registration request packet exists in a network, registers first identification information identifying an access requesting apparatus which is included in the registration request packet, in a storage unit. A second receiving unit receives an explorer packet, and if determining that first identification information included in the explorer packet has been registered in the storage unit, sends second identification information identifying the own apparatus to the access requesting apparatus.