RDMA Gateway Translating InfiniBand and Ethernet Packets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current RDMA technologies lack interoperability between different network types, such as InfiniBand and Ethernet networks, preventing direct memory access between hosts connected to these disparate networks.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that includes a switch device with processing circuitry to translate RDMA packets between different network types, enabling communication between hosts connected to InfiniBand and Ethernet networks by converting packet formats and headers, thereby facilitating RDMA across different network protocols.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If RDMA is implemented separately over InfiniBand networks and Ethernet networks, then each network type achieves optimized performance for its specific protocol, but interoperability between different network types is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveRDMA functionalityVSAvoidNetwork interoperability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a gateway device as an intermediary component that connects InfiniBand networks and Ethernet networks. The gateway translates RDMA packets between the two network types, enabling interoperability while preserving the performance benefits of each network protocol. This mediator approach allows hosts on different network types to communicate through RDMA without requiring both networks to use the same protocol.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a gateway translates RDMA packets between different network types, then interoperability is achieved, but packet translation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveNetwork interoperabilityVSAvoidGateway translation functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway performs packet translation by modifying specific parameters such as headers and addressing schemes to convert between InfiniBand and Ethernet RDMA packet formats. This parameter change approach enables protocol translation while maintaining the core RDMA functionality and performance characteristics of each network type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If RDMA packets are translated between network types, then communication between different networks is enabled, but processing time may increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCross-network RDMA capabilityVSAvoidPacket translation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway is configured with translation rules and routing information in advance, allowing it to quickly translate packets without complex real-time processing. This preliminary configuration enables fast packet conversion between network types while maintaining low latency for RDMA operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11509579B2Gateway for remote direct memory access over converged ethernet

Publication Date: 2022.11.22 MELLANOX TECHNOLOGIES LTD(IL)

AI summary

A system, switch device, and method of operating a switch device are provided. An illustrative system is disclosed to include a first router block configured to receive a first type of Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) packet, a second router block configured to receive a second type of RDMA packet, and a gateway positioned between the first router block and the second router block. The gateway may be configured to translate the first type of RDMA packet received from the first router block for transmission as the second type of RDMA packet by the second router block.