Recirculation Ports for Packet Forwarding Between Distinct Pipelines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network devices face challenges in efficiently allowing differently programmed forwarding pipelines to interact and forward packets within a single device, leading to increased complexity and resource wastage when using multiple devices or tightly integrated pipelines.
Innovation Solution
Implementing recirculation ports within a network device to enable efficient packet forwarding between differently configured pipelines, allowing packets to be forwarded back to the ingress portion of another pipeline for processing, with optional data appending to assist in processing, using match action units for decision-making.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple forwarding pipelines are implemented on a single network device, then packet processing throughput is improved, but pipeline interaction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the forwarding pipeline into distinct segments (ingress portion and egress portion) that can be independently programmed and managed. Each pipeline can be configured as a separate entity while maintaining standardized interaction points through recirculation ports, reducing the complexity of managing multiple pipelines.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universal recirculation ports that can be used across different pipeline types (custom and standard) to forward packets between pipelines. This standardized interface allows any pipeline to interact with any other pipeline through common mechanisms, simplifying the overall system architecture despite the diversity of individual pipelines.
2Productivity
If tightly integrated pipelines are used to allow packet forwarding between pipelines, then packet processing efficiency is improved, but device complexity and resource usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces recirculation ports as intermediary elements that mediate packet forwarding between different pipelines. Instead of requiring direct tight integration between pipelines, the recirculation ports serve as standardized intermediate points that enable efficient packet transfer while maintaining independence between pipeline implementations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows pipelines to be copied or replicated (e.g., pipeline 0 and pipeline 1) with identical or different configurations. These copies can interact through the standardized recirculation port interface, enabling efficient packet processing across multiple pipeline instances without requiring complex custom integration for each pipeline pair.
3Adaptability or versatility
If custom forwarding pipelines are implemented alongside standard pipelines, then programming flexibility is improved, but resource duplication increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universal recirculation ports that work across both custom and standard pipelines, providing a common infrastructure that reduces resource duplication. The same recirculation port mechanism can be used for packet forwarding between any pipeline types, eliminating the need for separate specialized infrastructure for each pipeline combination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables pipelines to independently manage their own configurations and operations while using shared infrastructure. Custom pipelines can be programmed independently and interact with standard pipelines through the standardized recirculation interface, allowing each pipeline to serve its specific purpose without requiring duplicated resources for interaction functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments as disclosed herein allow packets to be efficiently forwarded between distinct forwarding pipelines in a network device, such as forwarding pipelines configured according to a standard program provided with the network device or a custom program implemented by a user of the network device. In particular, packets can be forwarded between forwarding pipelines configured according to different programs using recirculation ports associated with each pipeline.