Modified Ethernet Preamble for Inter-Line Card Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
In modular communication chassis with multiple line cards and Ethernet backplanes, existing technologies face inefficiencies in sharing information and actions about Ethernet frames between line cards, leading to increased system overhead and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The method involves redefining the Ethernet preamble to include an inter-line-card header with specific fields like start control character, version number, parity bit, source port, destination port, and forwarding domain entry, which is preserved in the MAC sub-layer to streamline communication and processing between line cards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional Ethernet preamble is used for communication between line cards, then standard Ethernet compatibility is maintained, but system overhead increases and communication efficiency decreases due to lack of integrated control information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges control information (source port, destination port, forwarding domain) directly into the Ethernet preamble structure. This combining of data plane and control plane information into a single integrated header reduces the need for separate control messages and frame processing overhead, thereby improving communication efficiency while reducing system resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The modified Ethernet preamble serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides standard Ethernet synchronization, carries inter-line-card control information (source/destination ports, forwarding domain), and enables efficient frame routing. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate control mechanisms, reducing system overhead while maintaining high productivity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional control mechanisms are added for inter-line-card communication, then communication control capability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines control plane information (source port, destination port, forwarding domain entries) with the data plane Ethernet frame structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate control protocols or additional processing mechanisms, providing enhanced communication control capability while avoiding the complexity increase that would result from adding independent control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent redefines the Ethernet preamble parameters to include inter-line-card control information. By changing the parameter structure of the existing Ethernet frame rather than adding new protocol layers or mechanisms, the system achieves versatile communication control capability without increasing device complexity.
3Loss of information
If Ethernet preamble is redefined to include inter-line-card header, then information sharing between line cards improves, but compatibility with standard Ethernet processing may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges inter-line-card control information into the existing Ethernet preamble structure rather than creating separate control frames. This integration ensures that information sharing occurs within the standard Ethernet frame flow, maintaining compatibility with standard Ethernet processing while enabling efficient inter-line-card communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent places control information (source port, destination port, forwarding domain) in the preamble at the beginning of the Ethernet frame. This preliminary positioning allows receiving line cards to process control information immediately upon frame arrival, before standard Ethernet decoding, enabling efficient information sharing without disrupting standard Ethernet compatibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of providing information regarding an Ethernet frame, within the Ethernet preamble of the Ethernet frame, comprises inserting into the Ethernet preamble an inter-line-card header that includes a start control character, a version number, a parity bit, a source port, a destination port, and a forwarding domain entry; and preserving said inter-line-card header, inside of said Ethernet preamble, in a Media Access Control (MAC) sub-layer in said Ethernet frame. The method may include a step of selecting the decoding format for the inter-line-card header corresponding to the version number and/or forwarding other Ethernet frames according to additional forwarding information provided by the forwarding domain entry. The inter-line-card header may be preserved in the MAC sub-layer by keeping the Ethernet preamble at the beginning of an Ethernet frame received over an Ethernet backplane, and passing the combined preamble and associated Ethernet frame to an inter-line-card header processing module.