Network Interface Port Switching Using Pretrained Standby Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-port network interface devices face significant downtime during port switching due to delays in transitioning between active and passive states, leading to increased power consumption, thermal burden, and congestion without providing reliable communication solutions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a mechanism that allows network interface devices to perform link training on standby ports based on saved parameters from active ports, enabling seamless transitions between active and passive modes based on network usage and telemetry data to minimize downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If conventional port switching is implemented in multi-port network interface devices, then power consumption and thermal burden are reduced during idle periods, but significant downtime and communication delays occur during port transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing link training on standby ports before they are needed for active communication. The system maintains trained parameters for standby ports, so when a port needs to become active, the link training is already complete or near-complete, eliminating the delay that would normally occur during port switching. This resolves the contradiction by preparing the standby port in advance, reducing switching delay without requiring continuous active operation of all ports.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of multiple ports based on real-time communication needs. Instead of maintaining all ports in a static active state (which increases power consumption) or using simple active-passive switching (which increases delay), the system dynamically trains and switches between multiple ports, optimizing the balance between power consumption and switching speed by maintaining trained standby ports.
2Speed
If multiple ports are kept in active state to eliminate switching delays, then port transition time is reduced, but power consumption and thermal burden increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs link training on standby ports in advance and maintains the trained parameters, so when a port needs to become active, it can switch immediately without undergoing the full link training process. This preliminary preparation allows fast port switching while keeping standby ports in a low-power state, resolving the contradiction between switching speed and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of ports dynamically - active ports operate at full performance with all components enabled, while standby ports maintain trained parameters but with reduced power consumption. This parameter adjustment allows the system to achieve fast switching speeds without the continuous high power consumption that would result from keeping all ports fully active.
3Loss of time
If link training is performed on standby ports in advance, then port switching delay is reduced, but device complexity and computational overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The link training process and parameter sets are designed to be universal across multiple ports. The system trains each port using the same standardized procedures and parameter structures, allowing the training results to be stored and reused. This universality reduces the overall complexity by applying a single trained parameter template across multiple ports rather than requiring unique complex configurations for each port.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates and stores parameter sets from link training that can be copied and applied to standby ports. Instead of performing complete link training each time a port becomes active, the system copies previously trained parameter sets to standby ports, significantly reducing the computational overhead and complexity while maintaining fast switching capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for reducing data port downtime are provided. An example network interface device of the present disclosure includes a first data port and a second data port. The network interface device performs a first link training process associated with the first data port coupled to a first communication link to determine a first communication parameter set for the first communication link. The network interface device then deactivates the first data port and performs a second link training process associated the second data port coupled to a second communication link to determine a second communication parameter set. Based on a network usage parameter set associated with a data plane of the network interface device, the network interface device determines whether to activate the first data port concurrently with the second data port.