Packet Transfer System Using Routing Engine for Direct TCP/IP over PCIe

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional packet transfer systems using the TCP/IP/Ethernet protocol stack introduce unnecessary protocol layering and inefficiencies in local communications within a server rack or chassis, particularly when using PCIe for server-to-server connections, as they require tunneling through a layer-2 network.

Innovation Solution

A packet transfer system that employs a component interconnect system, including a routing engine and a routing table with IP addresses, memory addresses, and port identifiers, to enable direct TCP/IP communication over PCIe connections without the need for Ethernet, allowing local communication between IHSs within a chassis without a layer-2 network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If TCP/IP/Ethernet protocol stack is used for local communications within server rack, then compatibility and standard protocol support are improved, but protocol layering complexity and communication efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol compatibilityVSAvoidprotocol layering complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the Ethernet protocol layer from the communication stack, allowing TCP/IP to operate directly over PCIe without requiring Ethernet as an intermediate layer. This eliminates unnecessary protocol layering while maintaining TCP/IP functionality, directly resolving the contradiction between protocol compatibility and layering complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the communication protocol stack by separating TCP/IP from Ethernet, allowing TCP/IP to operate independently over PCIe. This segmentation enables direct communication between servers without requiring the full TCP/IP/Ethernet stack, reducing protocol layering complexity while maintaining essential communication functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If TCP/IP/Ethernet tunneling is used over PCIe, then standard network protocol support is improved, but communication speed and efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork protocol supportVSAvoidcommunication speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the Ethernet layer from the communication path, allowing TCP/IP packets to be transmitted directly over PCIe without Ethernet encapsulation and decapsulation. This extraction eliminates the overhead and processing delays associated with Ethernet tunneling, directly improving communication speed while maintaining TCP/IP protocol support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If Ethernet protocol layering is used for local server communication, then standard network architecture compliance is improved, but communication overhead and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork architecture complianceVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the Ethernet protocol layer from the communication path, allowing direct TCP/IP over PCIe transmission. This extraction eliminates the time-consuming Ethernet encapsulation, switching, and decapsulation processes, directly reducing processing time while maintaining compliance with TCP/IP network architecture through alternative routing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Productivity

If PCIe is used as lossless fabric for direct TCP/IP communication, then communication efficiency and speed are improved, but requirement for alternative routing mechanism arises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidrouting mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a routing mechanism that acts as an intermediary between TCP/IP packets and the PCIe fabric. This routing layer translates standard IP addresses into PCIe addressing, enabling direct high-speed communication over PCIe while maintaining compatibility with existing TCP/IP applications. The routing mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing the necessary adaptation without requiring changes to the underlying PCIe infrastructure or TCP/IP protocol stack.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9893998B2Packet transfer system

Publication Date: 2018.02.13 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

IHS packet transfer systems and methods include a chassis housing a source IHS and a destination IHS. A component interconnect system in the chassis communicatively couples the source IHS and the destination IHS and includes a routing table that includes a destination IHS IP address of the destination IHS and a subnet associated with a component interconnect system domain. The routing table also includes a destination IHS memory address in the destination IHS, and a destination IHS port identifier for a port that is connected to the destination IHS. The component interconnect system provides a routing engine that receives, from the source IHS, a data packet that includes the destination IHS IP address and, in response, uses the routing table and the destination IHS IP address to retrieve the destination IHS memory address and the destination IHS port identifier for providing the data packet to the destination IHS.