Network Port Partitioning for Ethernet Link Error Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems fail to maintain an overall data transfer rate while changing protocols for sub-links based on detection conditions, and are limited to copper and backplane media, lacking support for non-copper and non-backplane media in configuring network ports for high-speed Ethernet connections.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that automatically configure a local port to be compatible with a remote device by partitioning or aggregating sub-links based on error detection, using a physical coding sublayer (PCS) to adjust data transfer rates and protocols without active participation from the remote device, supporting various media types including 10G, 40G, and 100G Ethernet standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual configuration is used to establish network connections between devices, then compatibility and reliability are improved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic configuration where the network device independently detects link status, determines appropriate configurations, and applies settings without manual intervention. The device monitors itself for errors like code violations and automatically adjusts sub-link configurations, eliminating the need for manual configuration while ensuring compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors link quality through error detection mechanisms (code violation detection, alignment checks) and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust configurations. When errors are detected, the system automatically modifies sub-link settings and reconfigures the connection, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains optimal performance.
2Reliability
If port partitioning is performed to handle link errors, then error recovery capability is improved, but device complexity and configuration overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides a single physical port into multiple logical sub-links, each capable of independent configuration and error handling. When errors are detected on specific sub-links, only those sub-links are reconfigured or taken offline, while others continue operating. This segmentation isolates failures and simplifies the complexity of managing port configurations.
3Productivity
If automatic configuration is implemented without remote device participation, then configuration speed is improved, but compatibility with remote devices may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary configuration actions by pre-establishing sub-link configurations based on local detection of link characteristics and error conditions. The configuration is applied proactively before actual data transmission issues occur, ensuring compatibility is maintained through advance preparation rather than reactive adjustments.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and systems are providing for configuring a port on a network device for communication with a port on a remote device. In one example, the network device receives, by a local port, a message from a physical coding sublayer (PCS) transmitter on the remote partner device. In one aspect, a port configuration module partitions the port to transfer data on a plurality of sub-ports each having a second data transfer rate if it is determined, by the network device that a local PCS receiver failed to align data received in the message. In another aspect, the port configuration module aggregates the plurality of sub-ports of the port to transfer data on a port having the first data transfer rate if it is determined, by the network device, that the local PCS receiver detected a code violation error in the message on at least one of the plurality of sub-links.