Modular Packet Switch Appliance with Removable Daughter Board
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packet switch appliances lack scalability and flexibility in handling varying network demands and functionalities, limiting their ability to efficiently process and distribute packets across complex networks.
Innovation Solution
A packet switching appliance with a modular design featuring a motherboard and a removable daughter board, equipped with a processor and network switch chips, allowing for configurable port configurations and enhanced packet processing capabilities, including filtering, distribution, and processing functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a packet switch appliance uses a fixed integrated design, then the device structure is simple, but the adaptability to varying network demands and functionalities is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The packet switch appliance is divided into a motherboard and removable daughter boards. The motherboard contains essential components (processor, first network switch chip, memory), while daughter boards provide specialized functionalities (second network switch chip with additional ports, packet processing capabilities). This segmentation allows the system to adapt to varying network demands by selectively installing different daughter boards without redesigning the entire device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The motherboard is designed as a universal platform that can support multiple types of daughter boards with different functionalities. The standardized connector and interface design enable the same motherboard to work with various daughter boards, providing multi-functionality while maintaining a relatively simple base structure.
2Productivity
If a packet switch appliance has limited packet processing capabilities, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity in handling packet traffic is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Packet processing capabilities are segmented into separate daughter boards rather than being integrated into the main device. This allows the appliance to handle complex packet processing tasks through specialized daughter boards while keeping the base device relatively simple. The processor on the motherboard can be selectively activated based on processing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The packet processing capability is made dynamic through the removable daughter board design. The system can adjust its processing power by adding or removing daughter boards with different processing capabilities, allowing the device to scale productivity according to actual packet traffic demands without permanently increasing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a packet switch appliance lacks scalability, then the device structure is simple, but the ability to handle increasing network traffic is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The appliance architecture is segmented into a modular motherboard and interchangeable daughter boards. This segmentation enables scalability by allowing users to add more daughter boards to handle increasing network traffic. Each daughter board represents a scalable unit that can be independently added without redesigning the entire system structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Scalability is achieved by adding functionality in a new dimension through removable daughter boards rather than increasing the complexity of the existing integrated structure. The standardized interface allows vertical scaling by stacking additional functional layers (daughter boards) onto the motherboard, enabling the system to handle increased traffic while maintaining structural simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A packet switch appliance for connection to a packet switching network, the packet switch appliance has a motherboard that includes a processor, a network switch chip, and a connector. The packet switch appliance also includes a daughter board configured to be removably connected to the motherboard through the connector. The daughter board may include one or more of a network switch chip and a processor unit.