Lane Degeneration Control for IEEE 802.3ba Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information processing systems, such as parallel computer systems using the IEEE802.3ba standard, lack the ability to detect and degenerate failed lanes without modifying the physical layer protocol, which reduces system reliability.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a mechanism within the information processing device that detects errors in lanes and generates degeneration information to stop the use of failed lanes, even when the interface unit does not have a degeneration control function defined, allowing for lane degeneration without altering the protocol.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a switching control marker is inserted at a position different from the alignment marker to enable lane degeneration, then lane failure detection and degeneration capability is improved, but the physical layer protocol must be changed and a new circuit block must be designed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a lane degeneration control function as an intermediary layer between the physical layer interface unit and higher-level protocols. This control function acts as a mediator that enables lane degeneration capability without requiring modification of the underlying physical layer protocol or interface unit, thus resolving the contradiction between improving reliability and avoiding device complexity increases
Solution Approach 2:
The lane degeneration control function is designed to work with existing physical layer interface units without requiring them to be modified. By adding this universal control layer, the system gains lane degeneration capability while maintaining compatibility with existing interface units that were designed according to standards like IEEE802.3ba, avoiding the need for complete circuit redesign
2Reliability
If the physical layer protocol is changed to add lane degeneration function, then the ability to detect and degenerate failed lanes is improved, but the interface unit must be redesigned according to the modified protocol
Solution Approach 1:
The lane degeneration control function is designed and implemented in advance as a separate layer above the physical layer interface unit. This preliminary action allows the system to gain lane degeneration capability without requiring subsequent redesign of the interface unit, making the manufacturing process easier by avoiding protocol changes and interface unit redesign
3Reliability
If lane degeneration is implemented by inserting switching control markers, then system reliability is improved, but it becomes difficult to adopt in IEEE802.3ba compliant physical layer protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds lane degeneration capability by moving to another dimension - implementing the control function at a higher protocol layer (above the physical layer) rather than modifying the physical layer itself. This dimensional shift allows IEEE802.3ba compliant systems to achieve lane degeneration without violating standard compliance, resolving the contradiction between reliability improvement and standard compatibility
Data Source
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AI summary
An information processing device includes a transfer unit and an interface unit, the interface unit distributes transmission to a plurality of first lanes, and generate reception information from a plurality of pieces of distribution reception data received through a plurality of second lanes, the transfer unit includes a reception processing unit to extract reception data included in the reception information, and first error information indicating an error in any of the first lanes and a degeneration management unit to generate first degeneration information indicating a use stop lane among the first lanes, based on the first error information, generate second degeneration information indicating a use stop lane among the plurality of second lanes, based on second error information that is output from the interface unit, and cause the transmission processing unit to generate transmission information including the second degeneration information.