Multi-port Intelligent NIC Switch Building Block
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network topologies require dedicated switches and multiple protocols to interconnect host systems efficiently, leading to increased complexity and costs, while also lacking in flexible multi-path communication and high-speed switching capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A multi-port intelligent network interface card (NIC) serves as a multi-port switch building block, enabling distributed or centralized control plane implementations, including software-defined networking, to interconnect host systems without dedicated switches, supporting L2 to L7 switching, routing protocols, and multi-function gateway capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dedicated switches and multiple protocols are used to interconnect host systems, then network interconnection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple network interface cards into a single multi-port intelligent NIC, merging the functions of multiple separate network devices into one integrated unit. This reduces the number of dedicated switches needed while maintaining network interconnection capability, thereby reducing device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-port intelligent NIC is designed to perform multiple functions including switching, routing, and protocol translation across different network technologies (Ethernet, Fibre Channel, iSCSI). This universal device replaces multiple specialized devices, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dedicated switches are used for each network technology, then protocol compatibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intelligent NIC incorporates multiple protocol support (Ethernet, Fibre Channel, iSCSI) within a single device, enabling protocol translation and compatibility without requiring separate dedicated switches for each protocol type. This reduces device complexity while maintaining broad protocol compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-port intelligent NIC acts as an intermediary device that translates between different network protocols, enabling communication between host systems using different network technologies without requiring dedicated switches for each protocol. This mediator approach simplifies the network architecture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple dedicated network devices are deployed, then network coverage is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple dedicated network devices into a single multi-port intelligent NIC, reducing the total quantity of hardware devices needed. This consolidation maintains comprehensive network coverage across multiple protocols and host systems while reducing overall cost.
Solution Approach 2:
By implementing a universal multi-port intelligent NIC that supports multiple network technologies and protocols, the system achieves broad network coverage without requiring multiple specialized devices, thereby reducing the quantity of hardware needed and lowering overall system cost.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-port L2 to L7 switch may be implemented using multi-port switch building blocks such as a multi-port intelligent network interface card (NIC), without necessitating a dedicated switch. It is, for example, possible to build a 16-node switched interconnect from 16 4-port building blocks. Such a multi-port L2 to L7 switch may be used as a storage/compute cluster interconnect, where it replaces one or more external switches. The multi-port switch may utilize routing protocols such as IS-IS and OSPF. It may further support ACL, TCP proxy (L4 switching), iSCSI switching (L7 switching), and multi-function gateway capability, translating between different protocols such as iSCSI/FCoE/FC/SAS, etc.