PCIe Multihost Switching for Direct Host-to-Host Data Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing PCIe systems require Ethernet controllers and additional NIC emulating host software for communication between hosts, increasing complexity and memory requirements.
Innovation Solution
A PCIe switch with partitions, a logical Ethernet adapter, and a network administrator facilitates direct communication between hosts without Ethernet controllers or additional NICs, using a routing table and bridge circuit to manage data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If Ethernet controllers and NIC emulating host software are used for PCIe host communication, then communication between hosts is enabled, but device complexity and memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the Ethernet controller and NIC emulating software from the PCIe host communication system. Instead of using these separate components, the invention implements communication functionality directly within the PCIe switch fabric, removing unnecessary layers and reducing system complexity while maintaining host communication capability
Solution Approach 2:
The PCIe switch is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both the communication medium and the routing intelligence for host-to-host data transfer. The switch fabric and routing logic are integrated into the PCIe switch itself, eliminating the need for dedicated Ethernet controllers and reducing overall device complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If Ethernet controllers and NIC emulating host software are used for PCIe host communication, then communication between hosts is enabled, but memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the NIC emulating software and its associated data structures from the host system. By implementing communication functionality in the PCIe switch, the patent eliminates the need for hosts to allocate memory for virtual NIC operations, buffer management, and protocol handling that would otherwise be required
3Reliability
If synchronization between multiple hosts is implemented, then communication coordination is improved, but computational resources and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The PCIe switch acts as an intermediary that centralizes synchronization and routing control. Instead of requiring multiple hosts to synchronize with each other through complex peer-to-peer protocols, the switch fabric provides centralized arbitration and routing, simplifying the synchronization mechanism while maintaining communication reliability
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a PCIe switch coupled to one or more hosts and coupled to at least one PCIe switch. A data packet may be received at the PCIe switch, the data packet to be moved from a source host to a destination host. Address information may be extracted from the data packet and may be compared with address information mapped to respective hosts in a routing table. The PCIe switch retrieves the destination buffer address from the destination host, communicate the destination address to the source host, program a bridge circuit to enable direct access of destination buffer to the source host allowing data to be bridged between the source host and the destination host.