PCIe Link Directly Coupling Slots to Network Fabric
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional computer architectures are inflexible, unscalable, and costly, with proprietary and vendor-specific designs that require extensive cabling and purpose-built switches, limiting bandwidth and increasing complexity in data centers and service providers.
Innovation Solution
A rack-scale modular architecture that uses PCIe links to directly couple slots with a network fabric, eliminating the need for separate switches and cabling by providing a scalable, flexible, and customizable design that allows for direct communication between hardware modules without software changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional separate purpose-built boxes and TOR switches are used to implement workflows, then functionality can be achieved, but device complexity and cabling requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate purpose-built boxes and TOR switches into a single integrated network fabric module. This consolidation eliminates the need for extensive cabling between separate devices while maintaining workflow implementation capabilities through software-defined networking functions within the unified module.
Solution Approach 2:
The network fabric module is designed to perform multiple functions that previously required separate dedicated devices. By implementing universal networking functions including switching, routing, and workflow management within a single module, the system reduces device complexity while preserving adaptability for different workflow requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If proprietary vendor-specific designs are used, then specific functionality can be achieved, but adaptability and scalability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs universal hardware modules with standardized interfaces that can be configured for different functions through software rather than requiring vendor-specific proprietary designs. This approach enables system flexibility and adaptability while avoiding the complexity of custom-built solutions for each vendor.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamically reconfigurable network fabric modules that can adapt their functionality through software configuration rather than fixed proprietary designs. This dynamic nature allows the same hardware to serve multiple purposes and be scaled flexibly without being locked into vendor-specific architectures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If extensive cabling is used to connect separate boxes with TOR switches, then connectivity can be achieved, but bandwidth is limited and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By consolidating multiple network devices into a single integrated module, the patent dramatically reduces the quantity of cabling required. The internal connections within the unified module replace what would otherwise require extensive external cabling between separate devices, thereby reducing both material cost and physical space requirements.
4Reliability
If conventional architectures with separate overlays are used, then existing deployments can be maintained, but scalability and bandwidth are constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamically reconfigurable network fabric that can adapt to existing deployment configurations while providing enhanced bandwidth and scalability. The software-defined nature of the module allows it to maintain compatibility with current deployments while enabling future expansion and higher performance capabilities that fixed conventional architectures cannot provide.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus, systems, and/or methods may include a peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) link to directly couple a slot with a network fabric. The slot may be defined by a surface and/or may accommodate a hardware module. A rack unit implementation may be utilized, such as a one rack unit (1U) implementation, a four rack unit (4U) implementation, and so on. The network fabric may be utilized when hardware modules communicate across the PCIe link, may be bypassed when hardware modules communicate across an additional PCIe link, and so on. The PCIe link may include a direct connect point-to-point PCIe link, a dual star PCIe link, and so on. In addition, the PCIe link may be utilized in a rack-scale architecture.