PCI Express Network Switch with Non-Transparent Bridges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current interconnectivity solutions require multiple protocols and formats for data transmission between devices, leading to inefficiencies and increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
A network switch based on the PCI Express protocol, utilizing non-transparent bridges to facilitate direct memory access and virtualized I/O operations between servers, allowing for efficient data transfer without the need for multiple formats and interconnects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple interconnects and protocols are used for different interconnectivity solutions, then device compatibility and communication capabilities are improved, but system complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal PCI Express-based network switch that can handle multiple communication protocols (TCP/IP, FibreChannel, InfiniBand) through a single unified interconnect. The switch fabric and controllers are designed to support diverse protocols over the same physical infrastructure, eliminating the need for separate dedicated interconnects for each protocol type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent consolidates multiple separate interconnect functions into a single PCI Express network switch device. Previously separate components (Ethernet switch, FibreChannel switch, storage network interface) are merged into one unified switch that handles all these functions through the PCI Express protocol, reducing the number of physical devices and interconnects required.
2Adaptability or versatility
If data packets are transmitted through multiple protocol layers and format conversions, then communication compatibility is improved, but transmission efficiency and bandwidth utilization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary protocol overhead and format conversion steps from the data transmission path. By using PCI Express as the common underlying protocol, the system removes redundant encapsulation/decapsulation operations, header additions/removals, and format conversions that previously occurred when data passed through multiple different interconnect protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The PCI Express protocol acts as an intermediary layer that simplifies communication between different devices. Instead of requiring direct compatibility between diverse protocols (Ethernet, FibreChannel, etc.), all communications are mediated through the standardized PCI Express interface, which handles protocol translation and formatting in a unified manner rather than through multiple separate conversion steps.
3Ease of operation
If traditional Ethernet controllers with PCI Express interfaces are used, then server connectivity is improved, but processing overhead from protocol stripping and reformatting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network switch performs protocol handling and data formatting operations autonomously without requiring extensive CPU intervention on the server side. The switch's integrated controllers handle protocol stripping, reformatting, and forwarding operations self-service style, allowing server CPUs to focus on application logic rather than protocol management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical-style protocol processing chain (multiple separate controllers and switches performing sequential protocol conversions) with a streamlined electronic switching fabric based on PCI Express. This substitution enables faster, more efficient data movement through the system by using the high-speed parallel capabilities of PCI Express rather than sequential protocol processing steps.
Data Source
AI summary
A network switch, based on the PCI Express protocol, is disclosed. The switch includes a processor, local memory and a plurality of non-transparent bridges. By configuring the non-transparent bridges appropriately, the network switch can facilitate a number of different communication mechanisms, including TCP/IP communication between servers, server clusters, and virtualized I/O device utilization. For example, the network switch may configure the non-transparent bridges so as to have access to the physical memory of every server attached to it. It can then move data from the memory of any server to the memory of any other server. In another embodiment, the network switch is connected to an I/O device, and multiple servers are given access to that I/O device via virtualized connections.