Forwarding Chip Hardware Offload for Packet Processing Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multiple sending and selective receiving mechanisms in network communication, implemented by software, suffer from low packet forwarding efficiency due to complex forwarding logic and the need to wait for all packets to be received before processing.
Innovation Solution
A data processing method and apparatus that utilize a forwarding chip in network devices to immediately process and forward packets through multiple sending and selective receiving paths, using hardware to ensure reliable packet transmission and improve efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sending and selective receiving mechanism is implemented by software, then packet forwarding can be performed through multiple paths, but packet forwarding efficiency is low due to complex forwarding logic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the software-based forwarding mechanism with a hardware-based forwarding chip. The forwarding chip is configured to automatically perform packet forwarding operations based on preset forwarding rules, eliminating the need for complex software processing. This hardware substitution directly resolves the contradiction by providing both high reliability (through dedicated hardware paths) and high efficiency (through parallel hardware processing without software overhead).
Solution Approach 2:
The forwarding chip is designed with built-in forwarding logic and rule sets that enable it to autonomously make forwarding decisions without requiring software intervention. The chip maintains local forwarding rule databases and automatically matches incoming packets against these rules to determine the appropriate forwarding path,从而实现 self-service packet forwarding that is both reliable and efficient.
2Reliability
If software processes packets after all packets are received, then packet completeness can be ensured, but processing time is increased reducing forwarding efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The forwarding chip performs packet forwarding operations immediately upon receiving each packet, without waiting for other packets in the same flow to arrive. The chip uses preset forwarding rules to determine the destination and forwards packets in real-time. This preliminary action principle resolves the contradiction by ensuring packet completeness through rule-based routing while eliminating the time loss associated with waiting for complete packet sets.
3Productivity
If hardware forwarding chip is used to process packets immediately, then packet forwarding efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network device into distinct functional components: the forwarding chip responsible for high-speed packet forwarding operations, and the main processor responsible for control plane functions and rule management. This segmentation allows the forwarding chip to handle data plane traffic efficiently in hardware while keeping the overall device architecture manageable through clear separation of concerns.
Solution Approach 2:
The forwarding chip is designed as a universal hardware component that can handle multiple types of packet forwarding operations through a single integrated unit. It supports various forwarding modes (exact match, longest prefix match, etc.) and can be configured with different rule sets to adapt to different network scenarios, thereby improving efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A data processing method, apparatus, forwarding chip and network device. The method comprises: acquiring a first packet that needs to be forwarded through the multiple sending and selective receiving path; forwarding, if the network device is a source network device on the multiple sending and selective receiving path, the first packet to a next hop network device on the multiple sending and selective receiving path respectively through multiple paths comprised in the multiple sending and selective receiving path; forwarding, if the network device is an intermediate network device on the multiple sending and selective receiving path, the first packet to the next hop network device on the multiple sending and selective receiving path; extracting, if the network device is a destination network device on the multiple sending and selective receiving path, packet information from the first packet, storing extracted packet information if the extracted packet information is not stored in the network device, and forwarding the first packet to a destination terminal. The technical solution provided by the examples of the disclosure can improve packet forwarding efficiency.