Optical Network Topology Hierarchy for Data Center Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data center networks experience excessive latency and latency skew due to hierarchical architectures and lack contextual information for optimal resource provisioning, leading to inefficiencies and performance issues.
Innovation Solution
Implementing optical network topologies with optical nodes and a hierarchy of control that includes affinity modeling and centralized controllers to dynamically manage network traffic and resource allocation based on network and application topologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional hierarchical network architectures with multiple layers (access, aggregation, core) are used to interconnect servers, then network coverage and connectivity are improved, but data communications experience excessive latency and latency skew due to the multitude of switches and routers that data must traverse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the conventional hierarchical network into multiple overlay networks (broadcast network, multicast network, unicast network) that operate in parallel. Each overlay network handles specific types of traffic through dedicated paths, eliminating the need for data to traverse multiple hierarchical layers. This segmentation allows direct peer-to-peer communication while maintaining comprehensive network coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces overlay networks as an additional dimensional layer above the physical infrastructure. These logical overlay networks provide alternative communication paths that bypass the traditional hierarchical traversal, enabling direct connectivity between servers while the underlying physical network maintains its hierarchical structure for management purposes.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple paths are employed to deliver broadcast and multicast data to different destinations, then network coverage is improved, but excessive latency skew occurs due to varying path lengths and processing delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates broadcast, multicast, and unicast traffic into distinct overlay networks. Each overlay network is dedicated to specific traffic types with optimized forwarding mechanisms, eliminating the latency skew that occurs when different traffic types share the same hierarchical paths. This segmentation ensures predictable and consistent latency characteristics for each communication type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces overlay network controllers as intermediary entities that manage broadcast and multicast traffic distribution. These controllers optimize path selection and timing for multicast data delivery, ensuring that data reaches multiple destinations simultaneously with minimal latency skew, while the underlying physical network remains unchanged.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional Ethernet switches and routers are used to interconnect servers, then networking capability is improved, but excessive node and link utilization occurs leading to further latency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data traffic into different overlay networks based on communication patterns (broadcast, multicast, unicast). This segmentation distributes traffic load across multiple logical paths rather than concentrating it through hierarchical switches and routers, reducing node and link utilization while maintaining full networking capability through the overlay infrastructure.
4Quantity of substance
If the size of data center networks and loads increase to accommodate more servers, then computing resource capacity is improved, but latency and latency skew are exacerbated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces overlay networks as a logical dimension that scales independently of physical network growth. As server capacity increases, the overlay network layer provides additional virtual paths and routing options that maintain low latency performance regardless of the underlying physical network size, allowing the system to accommodate more servers without exacerbating latency issues.
Data Source
AI summary
Data center networks that employ optical network topologies and optical nodes to efficiently allocate bandwidth within the data center networks, while reducing the physical interconnectivity requirements of the data center networks. Such data center networks provide a hierarchy of control for controlling and provisioning computing resources within the data center networks based at least in part on the network topology and an application component topology, thereby enhancing overall application program performance.