Multi-Endpoint Optical Transceiver Topology Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network switches are often designed for specific topologies, limiting flexibility and requiring hardware changes when network topologies need to be adjusted or changed, such as due to repurposing or link failures.
Innovation Solution
The use of multi-endpoint (MEP) optical transceivers in network switches allows for compatibility with multiple network topologies, enabling flexible configuration and redundancy without replacing underlying hardware, by having multiple optical ports that can be dynamically selected for data transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network switches are designed for a specific network topology, then the switch can operate reliably in that topology, but the switch cannot adapt to different topologies or topological changes without hardware replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The optical transceiver is designed with multiple optical ports (first and second optical ports) that can be configured to transport data through different optical paths. This multi-functionality allows a single transceiver to operate in various network topologies (daisy-chain, star, mesh) without requiring hardware replacement, thereby resolving the contradiction between topology adaptability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The transceiver incorporates dynamic configurability where the first and second optical ports can be selectively activated based on the desired network topology. This dynamic switching capability enables the transceiver to adapt to topological changes in real-time, maintaining versatility while managing complexity through software-controlled configuration rather than fixed hardware design
2Adaptability or versatility
If network switches are designed with fixed hardware configuration, then manufacturing and operation are simplified, but any topological adjustment requires hardware replacement
Solution Approach 1:
By designing the optical transceiver with multiple optical ports that can serve different functions based on configuration, the invention creates a universal component that can be manufactured once and deployed in various topologies. This eliminates the need to manufacture different hardware variants for different topologies, thereby improving ease of manufacture while maintaining topology flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The transceiver allows changing operational parameters (which optical port to use, which path to activate) without changing the physical hardware. This parameter-based configurability enables topology adjustments through software settings rather than hardware modifications, simplifying manufacturing while providing the needed flexibility
3Reliability
If network switches use single-endpoint optical transceivers, then the hardware configuration is simple, but the network lacks redundancy and requires hardware changes for topological adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-endpoint optical transceiver with configurable first and second optical ports provides multiple communication paths through a single device. This multi-functionality inherently creates redundancy as data can be routed through alternative paths if one fails, improving reliability without requiring multiple separate transceivers, thus managing device complexity effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges multiple endpoint capabilities into a single optical transceiver unit. By combining what would traditionally require multiple separate transceivers into one unified device with configurable ports, the solution provides redundancy and fault tolerance while actually reducing overall device complexity and quantity
Data Source
AI summary
A network switch having one or more multi-endpoint (MEP) optical transceivers configured to provide an interface for optical data transport through the corresponding network. The use of MEP optical transceivers advantageously enables the network switch to be compatible with multiple network topologies. As a result, various embodiments of the disclosed network switch may be used to provide a builder and/or an operator of the corresponding network with a great deal of flexibility in choosing a network topology and/or degree of redundancy better suitable for the network's intended purpose and/or application without having to change some of the underlying hardware.