Optical Inter-Switch Link Cluster Using Hierarchical Switch Trays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical inter-switch link (ISL) clusters require large, cumbersome, and expensive components to establish optical connections among switches, becoming more prevalent as the number of switches increases, necessitating a more cost-effective and scalable solution.
Innovation Solution
An ISL cluster comprising multiple switch trays with switch chips and optical connectors, arranged in hierarchical orientations to establish all-to-all optical connections without significant configuration changes, using shuffle trays to connect switch chips across trays, reducing component count and cost while maintaining scalability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional optical fiber shuffles with optical patch panels are used to establish optical connections among switches, then optical connectivity is achieved, but the system becomes larger, more cumbersome, and more expensive as the number of switches increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple switch trays, each containing a subset of switches. Each tray is a self-contained unit with its own optical connectors and cabling infrastructure. This segmentation allows the overall system to scale by simply adding or removing entire trays rather than reconfiguring individual components throughout the system, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining adaptability to varying numbers of switches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the optical connection architecture by organizing switches into trays arranged in tiers. Rather than a flat, monolithic patch panel structure, the system uses multiple levels of optical connectivity (intra-tray and inter-tray connections), effectively adding a vertical dimension to the connection topology. This dimensional change allows for more efficient use of optical resources and reduces the overall complexity of the connection system.
2Productivity
If larger numbers of switches are connected using conventional ISL clusters, then more optical connections are established, but costs and component requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Each switch tray is designed as a universal module that can serve multiple functions regardless of the total system size. The same tray design, optical connector types, and cabling structures are used whether the system contains 4 switches or 64 switches. This universality allows the system to scale in productivity (number of connections) without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity or cost, as the same standardized components are simply replicated.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional optical connection topologies are used, then optical connectivity is achieved, but configuration changes require significant modifications
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into independent switch trays with standardized interfaces, configuration changes can be localized to specific trays rather than requiring system-wide reconfiguration. Each tray maintains its own internal optical connectivity, allowing administrators to add, remove, or reconfigure individual trays without affecting the operational status of other trays, thereby simplifying configuration changes while maintaining overall system adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical inter-switch link cluster includes an array of first switch trays and an array of second switch trays. The array of first switch trays is arranged in a first orientation. Each of the first switch trays includes a plurality of first switch chips and connected to each other, and a plurality of first optical connectors are connected to the plurality of first switch chips. The array of second switch trays is arranged in a second orientation. Each of the second switch trays includes a plurality of second switch chips disposed thereon and connected to each other, and a plurality of second optical connectors are connected to the plurality of second switch chips. Each of the plurality of first optical connectors connected to each of the first switch trays is connected to one of the plurality of second optical connectors of a different one of the plurality of second switch trays.