Network Path Conflict Resolution Across Mixed Topologies

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network technologies face challenges in performing all-to-all communication without path conflicts when multiple topological structures are combined, as path conflicts can occur due to differing port combinations, making it difficult to maintain efficient communication without increasing switch ports.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that stores connection information and transfer patterns for each topological structure, identifying paths from transmission sources to destinations and determining output ports to enable all-to-all communication without path conflicts by combining transfer patterns across multiple topological structures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple topological structures are combined to increase network capacity and connectivity, then the network can support more transmission sources and destinations, but path conflicts occur due to differing port combinations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidpath conflict

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of port combination mapping between topological structures. By establishing a specific correspondence relationship between output ports of first topological structures and input ports of second topological structures, the system transforms the port mapping parameters to eliminate path conflicts while maintaining expanded network capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a path management apparatus as an intermediary that coordinates communication between multiple topological structures. This intermediary device manages the port combinations and routing paths, ensuring that data transmission across different topological structures does not result in path conflicts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If additional switch ports are added to prevent path conflicts, then path conflict reliability improves, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepath conflictVSAvoidswitch ports

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of increasing the number of physical ports, the patent changes the parameter of port combination mapping. By reconfiguring which output ports connect to which input ports across topological structures, the system achieves conflict-free communication using the existing port inventory, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic path selection and port mapping management. The path management apparatus can dynamically adjust port combinations and routing paths based on current network conditions, allowing the system to maintain reliability without permanently increasing hardware complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If port combinations between topological structures are optimized for all-to-all communication, then communication efficiency improves, but device complexity increases due to path management requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidpath management

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The path management apparatus performs multiple functions: it manages port combinations, identifies valid paths, determines optimal transfer patterns, and coordinates communication across topological structures. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional device, the patent achieves high communication efficiency without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The path management apparatus performs preliminary path identification and transfer pattern determination before actual data transmission occurs. By pre-establishing valid paths and port mappings, the system eliminates the need for complex real-time routing decisions during data transmission, thereby improving communication efficiency while managing complexity through advance preparation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10554535B2Apparatus and method to perform all-to-all communication without path conflict in a network including plural topological structures

Publication Date: 2020.02.04 FUJITSU LTD

AI summary

An apparatus stores connection information indicating connection relationship among topological structures in a network, in which first-type topological structures are coupled to second-type topological structures. The apparatus stores first transfer-patterns each indicating a combination of input and output ports for performing all-to-all communication without path conflict in each of the first-type topological structures, and second transfer-patterns each indicating a combination of input and output ports for performing all-to-all communication without path conflict in each of the second-type topological structures. The apparatus identifies paths from transmission sources to transmission destinations for a combination of the first and second transfer-patterns, and determines, based on the identified paths, a transfer-pattern with which to perform all-to-all communication without path conflict from the transmission sources to the transmission destinations, and determines output ports in each of the first- and second-type topological structures, corresponding to the identified paths.