Link-Layer Credit Flow Control for Lower Bandwidth Overhead
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data center communication systems face increased latency and bandwidth overheads due to the need for protocol conversion between devices, necessitating improved flow control methods to ensure efficient data transmission without buffer overflow.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a flow control method that encapsulates credit information within data packets at the link layer, allowing simultaneous transmission of data and credit, thereby reducing bandwidth overheads and improving effective bandwidth and communication performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If credit information is sent through separate control packets, then flow control is implemented, but bandwidth overheads increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines credit information with data packets by embedding credit fields within the data packet structure. This merging allows simultaneous transmission of data and credit information in a single packet, eliminating the need for separate control packets and thereby reducing bandwidth overhead while maintaining flow control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The data packet is designed to serve multiple functions: it carries both user data and credit information for flow control. This multi-functionality allows the same transmission medium to handle both data communication and flow control signaling, reducing the total bandwidth consumption compared to using separate dedicated control packets.
2Adaptability or versatility
If protocol conversion is performed between devices, then communication compatibility is achieved, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the intermediate protocol conversion step by implementing a unified high-speed serial bus protocol across all device layers. By removing the protocol conversion intermediary, data can be transmitted directly from source to destination without the time-consuming conversion process, while the unified protocol structure maintains communication compatibility across different devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If intermediate conversion is performed, then protocol compatibility is achieved, but effective bandwidth decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the intermediate conversion layer that was previously necessary for protocol compatibility. By implementing a unified protocol stack across all devices, the conversion intermediary is eliminated, allowing data to flow directly between devices at full bandwidth capacity without the overhead and bottlenecks of intermediate conversion processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A flow control method and apparatus, and a system are provided, and relate to the field of communication technologies, to reduce bandwidth overheads and improve effective bandwidth and communication performance while implementing flow control. The method includes: A first node generates a data packet. The data packet includes credit information of a second node, the credit information indicates a data volume quota returned to a virtual channel of the second node, and the virtual channel is used by the second node to transmit data to the first node. The first node sends the data packet to the second node. When receiving the data packet, the second node parses the data packet, to obtain the credit information of the second node. In this way, flow control on the first node is implemented based on the credit information.