Optical Cross-Connect Topology Discovery for Connection Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity and size of optical cross connects in datacenters make it challenging to determine which switches are connected and whether connections are correct, leading to difficulty in identifying and correcting connection errors.
Innovation Solution
A computer system injects optical test signals into the optical cross connect, detects how the signals travel through the network, and uses a data structure to track and update connection states, identifying and correcting errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If optical switches are connected to form large multi-stage switching fabrics to interconnect host devices, then network capacity is improved, but device complexity increases making it challenging to determine connections and detect errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary topology discovery by injecting test signals into the optical cross-connect fabric and detecting their paths before actual data transmission occurs. This preliminary mapping of the fabric topology enables subsequent error detection and validation operations, resolving the complexity issue without limiting network capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary detection system that injects test signals and monitors their paths through the optical fabric. This intermediary layer provides visibility into the connection state without interfering with normal data traffic, allowing complex multi-stage fabrics to be managed and validated effectively.
2Productivity
If the optical cross connect fabric is made larger to support more host devices, then network capacity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates making it difficult to identify connection errors
Solution Approach 1:
The error detection process is segmented into discrete steps: injecting test signals at specific ports, detecting signal paths, comparing detected paths against expected paths, and identifying mismatches. This segmentation allows precise measurement even in large fabrics by breaking down the complex validation task into manageable operations that can be performed systematically across all ports and stages.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes a computer system for discovering the topology of an optical cross connect. The computer system includes one or more memories and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the one or more memories. The one or more memories store a data structure indicating a state of a connection between a first optical port of a first optical fabric and a second optical port of a second optical fabric. A combination of the one or more processors determines that a source optical signal communicated to the first optical port is received at the second optical port over the connection and updates the data structure such that the state indicates that the connection is valid.