FEC Hierarchy Flattening for Hardware Indirection Limits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Network devices face challenges in managing forwarding equivalence class (FEC) hierarchies due to varying hardware support for levels of indirection, leading to inefficiencies in processing network traffic data units.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced to assess and compare the hierarchy height of FEC hierarchies with the maximum levels of indirection (MLI) supported by hardware components, allowing for flattening of FEC hierarchies when necessary to ensure compatibility and reduce processing complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a high hierarchy height FEC structure is implemented to improve forwarding flexibility and functionality, then the adaptability and versatility of the network device is improved, but the device complexity increases and hardware compatibility becomes problematic due to varying MLI support

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveFEC hierarchy functionalityVSAvoidhardware compatibility complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of hierarchy height to adapt to different hardware capabilities. By dynamically adjusting the hierarchy height parameter based on the hardware's MLI support, the system maintains high adaptability while ensuring compatibility across different device configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic approach where the FEC hierarchy structure is not fixed but adapts based on hardware capabilities. The system determines the appropriate hierarchy height at runtime based on the specific hardware's MLI support, making the structure flexible and adaptable rather than static

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a high hierarchy height FEC structure is used to enhance forwarding capabilities, then the adaptability is improved, but the processing time and computational load increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveFEC hierarchy functionalityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by implementing only the necessary levels of hierarchy that the hardware can support. Instead of always using the maximum possible hierarchy height, the system uses exactly what is needed (up to the MLI limit), avoiding unnecessary processing overhead while maintaining sufficient functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

By changing the hierarchy height parameter based on hardware capabilities, the system optimizes processing time. The parameter is adjusted to match the hardware's processing capacity, ensuring efficient execution without excessive computational load

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If the FEC hierarchy is flattened to reduce processing complexity and improve hardware compatibility, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability and forwarding flexibility are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing complexityVSAvoidFEC hierarchy functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic hierarchy height adjustment mechanism that allows the system to maintain adaptability when hardware supports higher MLI values. The structure is not permanently flattened but dynamically configured based on hardware capabilities, preserving flexibility when possible while reducing complexity when necessary

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If hardware-specific FEC implementations are used to optimize for each platform, then the processing efficiency is improved, but the ease of operation and platform agnosticism are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidplatform agnosticism

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal FEC hierarchy management approach that works across multiple hardware platforms. By using a standardized method to determine and adjust hierarchy height based on MLI support, the system maintains platform agnosticism while optimizing for each specific hardware configuration, achieving both ease of operation and processing efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11240355B2Platform agnostic abstraction for forwarding equivalence classes with hierarchy

Publication Date: 2022.02.01 ARISTA NETWORKS INC

AI summary

Methods, systems, and computer-readable mediums for managing forwarding equivalence class (FEC) hierarchies, including obtaining a forwarding equivalence class (FEC) hierarchy; making a first determination that a first hardware component supports a maximum levels of indirection (MLI) quantity; making a second determination that the FEC hierarchy has a hierarchy height; based on the first determination and the second determination, performing a comparison between the MLI quantity and the hierarchy height to obtain a comparison result; and based on the comparison result, performing a FEC hierarchy action set.