Non-transparent Bridge Circuit for High-Dimensional PCIe Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional PCIe networks face inefficiencies and impracticalities as network size and complexity increase, particularly due to limitations in topology types and path options, leading to long communication paths and overloaded components.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a non-transparent bridge circuit in PCIe networks, which enables multi-path routing by translating destination addresses and forwarding data packets between switches, effectively bypassing intervening switches and allowing for alternative paths, thus facilitating the creation of high-dimensional topologies compatible with PCIe protocol.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional PCIe basic tree topology is used, then PCIe protocol compliance is maintained, but communication paths become very long with numerous hops and components become overloaded
Solution Approach 1:
A non-transparent bridge is introduced as an intermediary device between switches in the PCIe network. The bridge translates destination addresses and enables direct forwarding of data packets between switches, effectively creating shortcuts that bypass numerous intermediate hops while maintaining PCIe protocol compliance. This resolves the contradiction by adding a mediating component that enables shorter paths without violating protocol constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension to the traditional basic tree topology by enabling multi-path routing through non-transparent bridges. Instead of being constrained to single hierarchical paths, the network gains alternative routing dimensions where data can flow through bridge-mediated shortcuts, effectively adding spatial efficiency to the topological structure while maintaining protocol compliance.
2Reliability
If conventional PCIe basic tree topology is used, then PCIe protocol compliance is maintained, but topology types are restricted and alternative paths are prohibited
Solution Approach 1:
The non-transparent bridge serves multiple functions: it acts as an address translation device, a path routing intermediary, and a topology-enabling component. By consolidating these functions in a single component, the system achieves enhanced versatility (supporting multiple topology types and alternative paths) while maintaining PCIe protocol compliance, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic routing capabilities through non-transparent bridges that can adaptively forward data packets along different paths based on destination addresses. This dynamic behavior enables the network to flexibly support various topology configurations and alternative paths while maintaining protocol compliance, resolving the contradiction between fixed topology constraints and needed flexibility.
3Quantity of substance
If network size and complexity increase, then more end-points and paths can be interconnected, but conventional PCIe approaches become inefficient and impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the large-scale PCIe network into manageable domains using non-transparent bridges as boundary devices. Each bridge manages specific address ranges and routing decisions, breaking down the complexity of large networks into smaller, more efficient segments. This segmentation enables scaling to more nodes while maintaining communication efficiency by localizing routing decisions and reducing overall network complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The descriptions presented herein include explanation of high-dimensional PCI-Express (PCIe) network implementations. The new approaches can facilitate utilization of an efficient protocol (e.g., PCIe, etc. ) while enabling implementation of various characteristics and features (e.g., characteristics and features similar to a fat-tree topology, CLOS topology, 2D and 3D topologies, etc. ) that would otherwise not be compatible with the protocol. For example, implementation of alternative paths can be enabled and utilized while maintaining compliance with a protocol (e.g., PCIe, etc. ) that would otherwise not be compatible with the use of alternative paths. The alternative paths can facilitate flexible topology implementation and network domain scaling while enabling improved communication latency. In one embodiment, presented systems and methods facilitate utilization of a non-transparent bridge circuit configured as an end-point with respect to communications from at least one device while facilitating transmission of the communications on to at least one other device.