FCoE Switch VLAN VID Conversion for Managerial Workload
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In current FCoE communication systems, the burden on network managers is high due to the difficulty in associating and managing FCoE VLANs across internal and external networks, as conventional techniques do not consider FCoE-specific VLAN conversions, restricting the flexibility of FCoE VLAN configurations and increasing managerial workload.
Innovation Solution
A switch device and control method that convert and manage FCoE VLANs by determining and converting VIDs between internal and external networks using a VLAN conversion table, allowing independent determination of FCoE VLANs and reducing managerial burden by dynamically assigning internal VIDs and managing multiple VLAN correspondences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If FCoE VLANs are manually configured and associated across internal and external networks, then network management control is maintained, but the burden on network managers increases and flexibility is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The switch device automatically performs FCoE VLAN identification and VID conversion without requiring manual configuration by network managers. The system self-services by autonomously discovering FCoE VLANs through FIP protocol monitoring and automatically maintaining conversion tables, thereby eliminating the manual association task while preserving management control.
Solution Approach 2:
The switch device acts as an intermediary between internal and external networks, automatically performing VID conversion based on predefined correspondence relationships. This intermediary function resolves the contradiction by handling the complex association task automatically, reducing managerial burden while maintaining network control through structured VID mapping.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional VLAN conversion techniques are used, then general network communication is supported, but FCoE-specific VLAN conversions are not considered
Solution Approach 1:
The switch device applies FCoE-specific VLAN conversion rules selectively to FCoE traffic while maintaining conventional VLAN handling for other traffic types. By identifying FCoE packets through FIP protocol detection and applying specialized VID conversion only to these packets, the system achieves FCoE compatibility without complicating overall VLAN management.
Solution Approach 2:
The VLAN management function is segmented into conventional VLAN handling and FCoE-specific VLAN conversion. The switch device separates these functions by detecting FCoE traffic types and applying appropriate conversion rules, thereby supporting FCoE communication while keeping the overall VLAN management structure clear and manageable.
3Extent of automation
If FCoE VLANs are independently determined in internal and external networks, then network autonomy is improved, but VID correspondence management becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The switch device pre-establishes VID correspondence relationships between internal and external FCoE VLANs before actual FCoE communication begins. By proactively discovering FCoE VLANs through FIP protocol monitoring and pre-configuring conversion tables, the system enables automatic VID conversion without real-time management complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The switch device maintains a copy of the VID correspondence relationship in a conversion table that is automatically updated based on discovered FCoE VLANs. This copied information structure enables automatic VID conversion while simplifying management, as the conversion table serves as a static reference that does not require dynamic adjustment during operation.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
To provide a switch device and a control method of the switch device which reduce a burden on a manager in an FCoE communication. A switch device (1) relays the FCoE communication between a storage disposed in an internal network and a FCF disposed in an external network. A reception port (122) receives, from the FCoE, information of an external VLAN in the external network in response to a transmission request for information of a virtual network used in the FCoE communication. A protocol processing unit (111) selects an internal VLAN, corresponding to the external VLAN, in the internal network. A transmission port (132) notifies an end node of information of the internal VLAN as information of the VLAN used in the FCoE communication. A packet processing unit (102) relays the FCoE communication between the end node and the FCF based on the internal VLAN and the external VLAN.