PCIe Message Encapsulation in Ethernet for Distance Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Packet-based bus architectures like PCIe face limitations in distance and physical implementation, making it difficult to maintain robust signaling over longer distances or different media, and unmanaged devices lack management capabilities, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
Encapsulating PCIe messages in a transport protocol like Ethernet allows for extended distance communication and management of unmanaged devices by a managed device, enabling robust control and configuration over physically separate components, with options for shared or secure network traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If packet-based bus architecture (PCIe) is used for communication, then robust signaling and control capabilities are improved, but communication distance is limited to short ranges (20 inches)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces Ethernet as an intermediary transport protocol between the PCIe controller and the target device. PCIe messages are encapsulated within Ethernet frames, allowing the robust PCIe signaling to be transmitted over Ethernet's longer distance physical media while maintaining the original PCIe protocol's reliability features
Solution Approach 2:
The communication protocol is segmented into two layers: the transport layer (Ethernet) handles long-distance physical transmission, while the application layer (PCIe) maintains robust control signaling. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize for its specific function without compromising the other
2Adaptability or versatility
If all devices have management capability, then device control and configuration flexibility is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables unmanaged devices to be controlled by managed devices through Ethernet encapsulation. This allows a single managed device to serve multiple functions - acting as both a standalone device and a remote management controller for other devices, eliminating the need for every device to have full management capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
Managed devices perform the management functions for both themselves and connected unmanaged devices. The unmanaged devices rely on the managed device's management capabilities, allowing the unmanaged devices to be simpler and less expensive while still providing configurable functionality through the managed device's control
Data Source
AI summary
A processor is configured to determine non-core functions to be performed by an unmanaged device disposed on a packet based computer network. A control message generator is configured to (i) generate a point-to-point control message conforming to a point-to-point control protocol for controlling the unmanaged device over a point-to-point serial bus connection to perform the determined non-core functions, and (ii) encapsulate the point-to-point control message in a transport packet for transport over the packet based computer network. A packet transmitter is configured to transmit the transport packet including the encapsulated point-to-point control message via a port coupled to the packet based computer network, the packet based computer network configured to route the transport packet including the encapsulated point-to-point control message based on a header included in the transport packet so that the point-to-point control message is received at the unmanaged device via the packet based computer network.