Hierarchical Linked List Multicast Replication Engine

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Network switches that replicate packets, mirror packets, and perform link switchovers have dedicated circuitry for each function, leading to inefficient utilization of network chip real estate, as additional customer requirements necessitate more functions to be implemented.

Innovation Solution

A hierarchical hardware linked list approach is used to represent multicast rules, where each tier corresponds to a network layer, eliminating redundant groups and allowing the multicast replication engine to traverse the list efficiently, thereby replicating packets, mirroring, and performing link switchovers using shared logic.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dedicated circuitry is provided for each function (packet replication, mirroring, link switchover), then functional reliability is improved, but device complexity and hardware real estate utilization worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional reliabilityVSAvoidhardware complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal multicast replication engine that can perform multiple functions including packet replication, mirroring, and link switchover operations through a single hardware structure. The engine uses a unified linked list data structure and traversal mechanism that handles all three functions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated circuitry for each function while maintaining operational reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges previously separate functions (packet replication, mirroring, link switchover) into a single integrated multicast replication engine. The engine combines multiple operational modes within one hardware block, using a unified control structure that can switch between different functions based on the operation type, thereby reducing overall device complexity and improving hardware real estate utilization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If dedicated circuitry is provided for each function, then functional capability is improved, but area of network chip worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional capabilityVSAvoidnetwork chip area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The multicast replication engine is designed as a universal hardware block that can perform packet replication, mirroring, and link switchover functions through a single integrated structure. This multi-functional approach allows the engine to handle diverse operational requirements without requiring separate dedicated circuitry for each function, thereby preserving full functional capability while significantly reducing the area occupied on the network chip

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple previously separate functions into one unified multicast replication engine implementation. By merging the hardware resources required for packet replication, mirroring, and link switchover into a single shared engine, the design achieves full functional capability with minimized hardware real estate requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11765069B2Hierarchical hardware linked list approach for multicast replication engine in a network ASIC

Publication Date: 2023.09.19 MARVELL ASIA PTE LTD

AI summary

A multicast rule is represented in a hierarchical linked list with N tiers. Each tier or level in the hierarchical linked list corresponds to a network layer of a network stack that requires replication. Redundant groups in each tier are eliminated such that the groups in each tier are stored exactly once in a replication table. A multicast replication engine traverses the hierarchical linked list and replicates a packet according to each node in the hierarchical linked list.