Resource Coherency Engine for Network Switch Traffic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network devices such as switches and routers have limited functionality to monitor and control packet flow, leading to inefficiencies in managing network traffic.
Innovation Solution
A system incorporating a resource coherency and analytics engine (RCAE) with virtual traffic shapers (VTS) and virtual output queues (VOQs) that associate packets with virtualizable resource groups (VRGs) to manage and schedule packet transmission, enabling better control and monitoring of network traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional switches and routers are used for packet transmission, then device simplicity is maintained, but network traffic monitoring and control capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network device into multiple functional components: input ports, output ports, virtual output queues (VOQs), virtual traffic shapers (VTSs), and resource coherency and analytics engines (RCAEs). Each component performs a specific function in the packet processing pipeline, allowing sophisticated traffic control while maintaining modular simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces virtual dimensions to the traditional switch architecture by creating virtual output queues and virtual traffic shapers that operate alongside physical ports. This adds a layer of virtualization that enables advanced traffic monitoring and control without altering the fundamental physical device structure.
2Productivity
If virtual traffic shapers with multiple virtual output queues are implemented, then packet scheduling capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual traffic shaper structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a packet queue, a traffic scheduler, a bandwidth manager, and a monitoring point. Each VTS manages multiple VOQs and can enforce different scheduling policies, making the structure universally applicable to various traffic management needs without requiring separate dedicated components for each function.
3Loss of information
If resource coherency and analytics engines are added to monitor packet flow, then network monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The resource coherency and analytics engines are integrated directly into the switching fabric, allowing the device to self-monitor and self-analyze its own traffic flow. The RCAEs collect statistics and generate analytics about packet transmission patterns, queue depths, and bandwidth utilization without requiring external monitoring equipment, enabling the device to serve its own monitoring needs.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer programs are presented for managing network traffic. A network switch includes a switch fabric and a resource coherency and analytics engine (RCAE) coupled to the switch fabric. The RCAE includes one or more virtualizable resource groups (VRGs) for managing network traffic flow across a plurality of network switches on the network. Further, the RCAE is operable to add network entities to each VRG, add flows to each VRG, and add other VRGs to each VRG. A virtualizable resource control list (VRCL), associated with each VRG, identifies which network entities in the VRG can communicate with each other, which network entities in the VRG can communicate with network entities in other VRGs, and a guaranteed bandwidth for the VRG associated with the VRCL. Furthermore, the RCAE is operable to exchange messages with other RCAEs in other network switches to implement traffic policies defined by each VRCL.