PCIe Switch Circuit Isolates Connectivity Failures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Networked storage and computing systems with point-to-point PCIe architectures are prone to cascading failures due to connectivity issues, such as disconnections, which can cause host panic conditions and disrupt server operations.
Innovation Solution
A connectivity card with multiple PCIe connectors and a PCIe switch circuit that monitors for connectivity issues and automatically reconfigures communication pathways to redirect affected traffic, ensuring continuous operation by switching to redundant links.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If point-to-point PCIe architecture is used, then device connectivity is simplified, but system reliability deteriorates due to cascading failures from connectivity issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the PCIe fabric connectivity by introducing a PCIe switch circuit that divides the point-to-point architecture into multiple virtual channels. This segmentation allows traffic from multiple PCIe connectors to be separated and routed independently through the switch circuit, preventing a connectivity issue at one connector from cascading to affect other connectors. Each connector operates as an independent segment with its own traffic flow control.
Solution Approach 2:
The PCIe switch circuit acts as an intermediary between multiple PCIe connectors and the host system. It mediates traffic flow by receiving signals from external PCIe ports, processing them through the switch fabric, and routing them to the appropriate host connectors or vice versa. This intermediary structure isolates connectivity issues to specific paths while maintaining overall system functionality through alternative routing options.
2Reliability
If PCIe switch circuit with multiple connectors is implemented, then system reliability improves by isolating connectivity issues, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The PCIe switch circuit is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple PCIe connectors and traffic types through a single integrated component. The switch circuit can simultaneously manage traffic from multiple external PCIe ports, perform virtual channel routing, and interface with the host system through a single host connector. This universal design consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate PCIe interfaces, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple PCIe connector functions into a single PCIe switch circuit that handles all external PCIe ports. By combining the switching, routing, and traffic management functions for multiple connectors into one integrated circuit, the design reduces the number of separate components needed. The switch circuit consolidates the functionality of multiple independent PCIe interfaces while providing the reliability benefits of isolated connectivity paths.
3Loss of time
If control circuitry monitors all PCIe connectors, then connectivity issues are detected earlier, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuitry implements partial monitoring by focusing surveillance on critical traffic flows and high-priority virtual channels rather than uniformly monitoring all PCIe connectors at full depth. The system monitors a subset of connectors or specific traffic types more intensively, while less critical paths receive reduced monitoring. This partial action approach detects the most important connectivity issues early while consuming less energy than comprehensive full-system monitoring would require.
Data Source
AI summary
A connectivity card insertable into a connector of a host system is provided. The connectivity card includes a plurality of Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) connectors configured to provide external PCIe ports on the connectivity card, each of the plurality of PCIe connectors capable of carrying PCIe traffic. The connectivity card also includes a PCIe switch circuit configured to communicatively couple the plurality of connectors to a shared connectivity interface carried over a host connector of the connectivity card. The connectivity card further includes control circuitry configured to monitor for connectivity issues that arise with regard to the plurality of PCIe connectors, and responsively mitigate the connectivity issues by at least reconfiguring a communication pathway in the PCIe switch circuit for at least a portion of the PCIe traffic affected by the connectivity issues.