Local Port Grouping With Virtual LIDs for InfiniBand Rails
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Solution Overview
Problem
InfiniBand (IB) networks face limitations in the number of host machines that can communicate due to distinct identifiers and require substantial control bits for configuration, leading to potential congestion and inefficient traffic management.
Innovation Solution
Implementing local port grouping through rails of network links using virtual LIDs to reduce the number of physical LIDs required, allowing multiple physical ports to be addressed with a single virtual LID, and optimizing the switched fabric network by isolating traffic into smaller networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If distinct identifiers are used for each IB port, then communication between host machines is enabled, but the number of host machines that can communicate is limited and substantial control bits are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple physical ports into a single logical port group, allowing multiple physical ports to be addressed collectively. This reduces the number of distinct identifiers needed and decreases control bits while maintaining the ability to communicate with multiple host machines through the grouped ports
2Reliability
If substantial control bits are used to ensure intended configuration, then communication configuration is ensured, but network congestion occurs and traffic management becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network traffic by creating port groups that can be independently managed and configured. This segmentation allows for more efficient traffic management with reduced control overhead, as configuration is applied to groups rather than individual ports, reducing network congestion while maintaining reliable configuration control
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods herein are for one or more processing units to communicate configuration information between a subnet manager (SM) and at least one switch, where the configuration information is to enable the at least one switch to provide communication between at least two host machines through a number of network links that exclusively use two or more physical ports of the at least two host machines, and where the configuration information is associated with a mapping of different virtual network addresses and two or more physical ports and is associated with a relationship between the different virtual network addresses.