NPV Device Local Switching Map for SAN Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current SAN environments face interoperability issues between switches from different manufacturers, leading to latency delays due to the need for data traffic to traverse an uplink between an N-port virtualizer (NPV) device and a core switch, which limits efficient data traffic management.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method at an NPV device to receive zoning and login information, create a map for switching data traffic among computing devices, and directly switch data traffic based on this map, thereby reducing reliance on the core switch for all switching functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If data traffic is switched through the core switch via uplink, then interoperability between different manufacturer switches is enabled, but latency increases due to the additional traversal path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the switching function by creating a local switching layer at the NPV device that handles compute-to-storage traffic independently, while the core switch continues to handle other traffic types. This segmentation allows local traffic to bypass the uplink traversal, reducing latency while maintaining core switch involvement for other interoperability scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a local switching fabric at the NPV device as an intermediary layer between compute devices and storage devices. This intermediary enables direct local switching of data traffic without requiring traversal through the core switch uplink, thereby reducing latency while maintaining compatibility with core switch interoperability requirements.
2Ease of operation
If all switching functionality is provided by the core switch, then centralized control is maintained, but significant latency delays result from mandatory uplink traversal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the switching functionality by implementing a local switching capability at the NPV device specifically for compute-to-storage traffic. This allows the core switch to maintain centralized control for overall SAN management while the NPV device handles local switching independently, eliminating the mandatory uplink traversal and reducing latency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to the switching architecture by implementing a local switching plane at the NPV device that operates parallel to the core switch's centralized control plane. This dimensional addition enables simultaneous centralized management and local optimized switching, resolving the latency issue without sacrificing centralized control capabilities.
3Productivity
If NPV device creates local switching map, then data traffic can be switched directly without core switch involvement, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal switching map data structure at the NPV device that can handle multiple traffic types and scenarios through a single unified mechanism. This multi-functional approach allows the NPV device to manage compute-to-storage switching, storage-to-compute switching, and interoperability scenarios through the same switching map infrastructure, reducing the complexity burden despite the added functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy or representation of the switching topology in the NPV device's switching map, which is a condensed version of the full SAN topology. This copying approach allows the NPV device to make local switching decisions based on essential topology information without needing to process the complete complex topology data, thereby managing device complexity while enabling efficient local switching.
Data Source
AI summary
Data traffic switching among computing device in a SAN environment is disclosed herein. According to an aspect, a method may be implemented at an NPV device that is associated with multiple computing devices positioned behind the NPV device in a SAN. The method may also include receiving zoning information associated with the computing devices. The method may also include determining, based on the zoning information a map for switching data traffic among the computing devices. Further, the method may include switching the data traffic among the computing devices based on the determined map.