All-Optical Switching Matrix for Data Center Network Scalability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data centers face high costs, limited data transmission speed, and compatibility issues due to their multi-layer tree structures and reliance on Ethernet technology, which restricts flexibility and scalability as they grow in size and service demands.
Innovation Solution
A data transmission system comprising a data interface device connected to a controller and an all-optical switching matrix, allowing for zero-hop reachability between servers, increased throughput, and reduced networking costs by separating control and forwarding processes and using optical switching for direct server connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a multi-layer tree structure (core layer, convergence layer, access layer) is adopted in conventional data centers, then network coverage and connectivity are improved, but device complexity and networking costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into two functional parts: a simplified one-layer network architecture for data transmission and a separate control system for management. This segmentation eliminates the need for multi-layer tree structures while maintaining network coverage through the all-optical switching matrix that provides direct connectivity between any nodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an all-optical switching matrix as an intermediary device that provides direct optical connectivity between any network nodes without requiring complex multi-layer routing. This intermediary enables simple one-layer architecture while maintaining full network coverage through optical cross-connect capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If Ethernet transmission technology is used in conventional data centers, then compatibility and ease of deployment are improved, but data transmission speed and throughput are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical Ethernet transmission with optical transmission technology. The all-optical switching matrix uses optical signals instead of electrical signals, enabling significantly higher transmission speeds and throughput while maintaining ease of deployment through standardized optical interfaces and protocols.
3Ease of operation
If conventional multi-layer architecture is adopted, then network management and control are simplified through standardized layers, but service delay increases due to multi-hop transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the control function from the data transmission path by implementing a separate control system that manages the all-optical switching matrix. This separation allows direct one-hop optical transmission for data while management operations are handled independently, eliminating multi-hop delays without compromising network management capabilities.
4Speed
If distributed data plane with all ports interconnected is implemented, then one-hop reachability is achieved, but networking costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal all-optical switching matrix that can dynamically establish direct optical connections between any pair of ports. This single multi-functional device replaces the need for multiple specialized components required for distributed interconnection, achieving one-hop reachability while reducing overall device complexity through consolidation.
Data Source
AI summary
A data transmission system used between multiple servers, a data interface device, and a data transmission method, which belong to the field of network communications, are disclosed. The data transmission system includes: a data interface device configured to receive a data stream from a server, and generate a forwarding request according to the data stream, where the forwarding request includes a destination address of the data stream; a controller device configured to generate a forwarding configuration signal according to the forwarding request; and an all-optical switching matrix configured to set an optical switching path between two data interface devices according to the forwarding configuration signal, so as to forward the data stream to a server specified by the destination address, where the two data interface devices are data interface devices connected to the source server of the data stream and the server specified by the destination address.