Harmonic Network Fabric Multipath Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data center network infrastructures, such as Clos topologies, face challenges in scaling linearly with the number of server racks due to the need for additional network devices and increased power consumption, making it expensive to expand beyond a certain size.
Innovation Solution
A network architecture using a single connection layer with multipoint optical strands that interconnect network nodes in a logical grid, employing harmonic connections to reduce the number of active devices and power consumption, while allowing for efficient traffic routing and dynamic capacity allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Clos topology is used to interconnect network nodes, then network connectivity is improved, but the number of network devices and power consumption increase exponentially
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple strands are merged into a single connection layer, where each strand connects a subset of network nodes. This consolidation reduces the total number of active devices compared to traditional Clos topology while maintaining comprehensive network connectivity through the harmonic connection patterns across multiple strands.
Solution Approach 2:
Each strand serves multiple functions by connecting multiple network nodes simultaneously and supporting multiple harmonics. A single strand can carry traffic between different node pairs by utilizing different harmonic patterns, reducing the need for dedicated devices for each connection.
2Reliability
If Clos topology is used to interconnect network nodes, then network connectivity is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple active network devices into fewer active devices by using strands that can dynamically reconfigure connections. This consolidation directly reduces power consumption while maintaining network connectivity through the harmonic connection patterns.
3Ease of operation
If traditional routing is used in network fabrics, then traffic flow is simplified, but congestion occurs and hop counts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic routing capabilities where the system can adaptively select among multiple paths based on current network conditions. The harmonic connection patterns enable flexible path selection, allowing traffic to be routed efficiently while minimizing congestion and hop counts.
Solution Approach 2:
Strands act as intermediaries that facilitate efficient traffic routing between network nodes. By using strands with harmonic connections, the system can route traffic through optimal paths, reducing congestion and minimizing the number of hops required to reach destinations.
Data Source
AI summary
Network traffic between a source node and a destination node in a network fabric can be routed by distributing the network traffic from the source node to a set of one-hop neighbors of the source node. Each one-hop neighbor of the source node can be set as a first waypoint. A one-hop neighbor of the destination node mapped to the corresponding one-hop neighbor of the source node is identified and set as a second waypoint. The distributed traffic is then routed from the first waypoint to the second waypoint via a network fabric having network nodes connected according to harmonics.