Midlay Network Segmentation for Non-Blocking Traffic

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern computing networks face challenges in providing non-blocking connectivity due to high resource requirements and inefficiencies in traffic handling, leading to issues like deadlocks, congestion, and wasted bandwidth, as existing protocols often deprioritize traffic and cause network resource waste.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a midlay network with midlay components that determine traffic properties and allocate resources to establish non-blocking fabrics, separating high-priority and non-time sensitive traffic, eliminating the need for traffic control protocols and optimizing resource usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If every input element is connected to every output element to guarantee non-blocking connectivity, then network connectivity reliability is improved, but network resource requirements and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenon-blocking connectivityVSAvoidnetwork resources

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The network is segmented into multiple layers (underlay, midlay, overlay) with distinct functions. The midlay is specifically segmented into multiple fabric instances that can be independently managed. This segmentation allows non-blocking connectivity to be provided only where needed rather than across the entire network, reducing overall resource requirements while maintaining reliability for critical traffic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different quality levels of connectivity are provided locally to different network traffic types. Time-sensitive traffic receives guaranteed non-blocking connectivity through dedicated fabric instances, while non-time-sensitive traffic uses shared resources. This local differentiation ensures high reliability for critical applications without requiring full non-blocking connectivity throughout the entire network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If software network traffic handling protocols are used to provide mostly non-blocking connections, then network resource requirements are reduced, but deadlocks, congestion, and network traffic jitter occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork resourcesVSAvoidnetwork traffic handling

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The midlay acts as an intermediary layer between the underlay and overlay, mediating traffic flow with deterministic routing. This intermediary fabric provides guaranteed paths that prevent deadlocks and congestion by ensuring predictable resource allocation, eliminating the need for complex software protocols while maintaining high reliability for time-sensitive traffic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The network fabric is designed to self-manage traffic routing without requiring external control protocols. The deterministic routing mechanisms embedded in the fabric automatically ensure non-blocking connectivity for time-sensitive traffic without needing software-based flow control, preventing deadlocks and congestion through inherent design rather than reactive protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If network traffic is deprioritized to manage resource allocation, then network resource utilization is improved, but network traffic jitter and performance degradation occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork resource utilizationVSAvoidnetwork traffic performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Network traffic is segmented into different service classes handled by separate fabric instances. Time-sensitive traffic is isolated in dedicated fabrics that guarantee resource allocation, preventing performance degradation and jitter. Non-time-sensitive traffic uses other fabrics, allowing high overall resource utilization without impacting critical applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different quality of service levels are provided locally to different traffic types within the same physical network infrastructure. Time-sensitive traffic receives premium service with guaranteed bandwidth and low jitter through specific fabric instances, while other traffic receives standard service. This allows high resource utilization overall while maintaining excellent performance for critical traffic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11470021B2Managed midlay layers on a routed network

Publication Date: 2022.10.11 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Techniques for providing a non-blocking fabric in a network are described. A network controller determines the network requirement for various network traffic types on the network and determines the allocation of resources across the network needed to establish a midlay, including midlay components on the network. The network controller then establishes the midlay on the network according to the determined allocation. At least one of the midlay components is a virtually non-blocking fabric for high-priority traffic or fully non-blocking fabric for deterministic traffic.