Network Device Packet Processor Trailer Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network devices are incapable of efficiently processing, analyzing, adding, or removing packet trailers, which are essential for protocols like PRP that require redundant network communications.
Innovation Solution
A network device is designed with a packet processor that can generate and process packet descriptors including both header and trailer information, allowing for actions such as determining network interfaces for transmission, adding trailers to packets, and removing or modifying trailers as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network devices use traditional header-based packet processing, then processing speed is maintained, but trailer processing capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The packet processing function is segmented into separate modules: a receive processor that extracts header and trailer information, a packet processor that uses both extracts for forwarding decisions, and a transmit processor that handles transmission. This segmentation allows trailer processing capability to be added without redesigning the entire packet processing architecture, thus improving adaptability while controlling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A packet descriptor is introduced as an intermediary data structure that contains both header information and trailer information. This descriptor acts as a mediator between the receive processor and packet processor, enabling the packet processor to access trailer information without directly parsing the packet structure, thereby simplifying the overall system complexity while maintaining trailer processing capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If packet descriptors include both header and trailer information, then trailer processing is enabled, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receive processor performs preliminary extraction of both header and trailer information from the received packet and stores this information in the packet descriptor before the packet reaches the packet processor. This preliminary action allows the packet processor to access all necessary information (including trailer information for protocol identification) without adding significant processing delay, as the extraction work is done in advance during receive processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The packet descriptor merges header information and trailer information into a single unified data structure. This merging allows both types of information to be processed together in a single pass through the packet processor, avoiding the need for separate processing stages and reducing overall processing time while enabling comprehensive protocol support including trailer-based protocols like PRP.
3Reliability
If trailers are processed for protocols like PRP, then communication reliability improves, but device functionality is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The packet processor is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple packet types and protocols by processing both header and trailer information from the packet descriptor. This multi-functional approach enables the device to support protocols like PRP that require trailer processing for reliability, while simultaneously maintaining the ability to handle traditional header-based protocols, thus preserving network interface flexibility and adaptability across different communication requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A network device comprises a receive processor configured to generate respective packet descriptors that include i) respective header information extracted from headers of packets received via a plurality of network interfaces, the packets also including trailers, and ii) respective trailer information extracted from the trailers of the packets. A packet processor is configured to process the header information and the trailer information in the packet descriptors to determine actions to be performed on the packets, including determining network interfaces via which at least some packets are to be transmitted by the network device. A transmit processor is configured to transmit the at least some packets via the plurality of network interfaces in accordance with the determining of network interfaces by the packet processor.