Five-Stage Switch Network Multicast Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional switching networks face challenges in efficiently handling multicast communications due to high hardware costs and the need for rearrangement of existing connections to accommodate new multicast connections, which affects scalability and bandwidth utilization.
Innovation Solution
A five-stage switch network architecture with specific configurations of switch stages and a control element that routes multicast signals through unicast manner in middle and output stages, allowing for efficient routing and rearrangement to support unlimited multicast connections without disrupting existing ones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional switching networks are used to handle multicast communications, then hardware cost is reduced, but the network requires rearrangement of existing connections to accommodate new multicast connections
Solution Approach 1:
The network is divided into multiple stages (first switch stage, second switch stage, third switch stage, fourth switch stage, fifth switch stage) with each stage containing multiple switch modules. This segmentation allows multicast connections to be established without rearranging existing connections by providing alternative routing paths through different stage combinations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a multi-dimensional switching architecture where traffic can flow through different stage combinations (e.g., direct stage 1-to-5, or indirect paths through stages 1-2-3-4-5). This dimensional expansion provides multiple routing dimensions, enabling non-blocking multicast operations without connection rearrangement.
2Device complexity
If conventional switching networks are used for multicast, then device complexity is reduced, but scalability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The network architecture is segmented into modular stages that can be independently configured and scaled. Each stage contains multiple switch modules that can be added or removed to scale the network capacity while maintaining the overall architectural simplicity and managing complexity through standardized inter-stage connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-stage architecture provides universal routing capability that can handle both unicast and multicast traffic patterns. The same network infrastructure supports multiple communication modes and can be scaled to accommodate growing network demands without requiring fundamental architectural changes.
3Productivity
If conventional switching networks are used, then bandwidth utilization is reduced, but the need for connection rearrangement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network pre-establishes multiple potential routing paths through its multi-stage architecture before multicast traffic needs to be transmitted. When a multicast connection request arrives, the control element can immediately select from pre-available paths without requiring time-consuming rearrangement of existing connections, thus improving bandwidth utilization and reducing delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The network dynamically selects optimal routing paths through the multiple stages based on current traffic conditions and connection requirements. This dynamic path selection enables efficient bandwidth utilization by adapting to changing network states while maintaining non-blocking operation through the availability of multiple routing dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
A switch network may include a plurality of switch stages arranged in sequential stages. The plurality of switch stages may include a first switch stage connected to a plurality of inputs, a second switch stage connected to each switch in the first switch stage, a third switch connected to each switch in the second switch stage, a fourth switch stage connected to each of the switches in the third switch stage, and a fifth switch stage connected to a plurality of outputs and each switch in the fourth switch stage, and a control element configured to control each of the plurality of switch stages for routing a signal from one of the plurality of inputs to one of the plurality of outputs.