Ingress Buffer Dynamic Reallocation for Virtual Lane Credit Consistency
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high-performance cloud computing environments, traditional network and storage systems face bottlenecks in managing packet switching and virtual output queue (VOQ) resources, leading to inefficiencies in traffic management and resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an ingress buffer system on networking devices that reallocates buffer resources among virtual lanes (VLs) and maintains credit consistency, using InfiniBand (IB) network switches to support packet switching and VOQ resource management, including buffer reallocation and error handling mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If buffer resources are statically allocated to each source virtual lane (VL), then credit management becomes simple, but buffer utilization efficiency deteriorates due to idle buffer space when traffic patterns change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic buffer allocation where the ingress buffer can reallocate buffer resources among different source virtual lanes (VLs) based on actual traffic conditions. The buffer transitions from static per-VL allocation to dynamic sharing, allowing buffer space to be allocated to VLs with active traffic and reclaimed from VLs with idle buffers, thereby improving overall buffer utilization efficiency while managing complexity through controlled reallocation mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The ingress buffer is designed to serve multiple source VLs simultaneously with a shared buffer pool, rather than dedicating separate buffers to each VL. This multi-functional buffer structure allows the same physical buffer resources to be utilized by different VLs at different times based on traffic demands, improving resource efficiency while maintaining credit management through updated credit notifications to input ports
2Productivity
If buffer reallocation is implemented dynamically, then buffer utilization efficiency improves, but credit consistency management becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the ingress buffer sends credit update notifications to input ports whenever buffer allocation changes occur. This feedback loop ensures that credit information remains consistent with the actual buffer state, allowing input ports to make accurate transmission decisions. The credit management system continuously monitors buffer reallocation and propagates updates to maintain reliability across the system
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary credit updates before actual data transmission to ensure that buffer reallocation does not compromise credit consistency. By proactively notifying input ports of buffer state changes and updating credit information in advance, the system prevents potential credit mismatches and maintains reliability during dynamic buffer reallocation operations
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method can support efficient packet switching in a network environment. The system can comprise an ingress buffer on a networking device. The ingress buffer operate to store one or more incoming packets that are received at an input port on the networking device, wherein the input port is associated with a plurality of source virtual lanes (VLs). Furthermore, the ingress buffer operate to reallocate buffer resource in the ingress buffer from being associated with a first source VL in the plurality of source VLs to being associated with a second source VL in the plurality of source VLs, and send an initial credit update to the input port for the first source VL and the second source VL.