Multi-Dimensional Ring-Lattice Network Topology for Scalable Packet Forwarding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network topologies, such as those defined by IEEE 802.1D, struggle with redundancies that lead to switch loops, overloading networks and preventing customer traffic, and the quadratic cost scaling of full mesh topologies makes them inefficient for large networks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a multi-dimensional ring-lattice network topology that creates a partial mesh with temporary on-demand tunnels to reduce link count and optimize packet forwarding paths, allowing bridges to forward packets through other bridges when a direct link is not available, and using virtual networking software to manage traffic demand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a full mesh topology is implemented to ensure direct connectivity between all virtual network elements, then communication efficiency is improved, but the number of virtual tunnel end-points grows quadratically (O(n*n)), increasing device complexity and resource consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a traditional two-dimensional full mesh topology to a multi-dimensional ring-lattice topology. This dimensional transformation allows network elements to be organized in hierarchical rings across multiple dimensions, reducing the number of direct connections required while maintaining efficient communication paths through the lattice structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The network topology is segmented into multiple hierarchical rings organized in different dimensions. Instead of requiring all elements to connect directly to each other in a single plane, the network is divided into structured rings that can be traversed systematically, reducing the overall connection complexity from quadratic to linear scaling.
2Reliability
If redundant links are added to improve network resiliency and provide alternative paths, then reliability is improved, but switch loops are created that can overload the network and prevent customer traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic path selection within the ring-lattice structure. When a link failure occurs, the topology dynamically routes traffic through alternative rings and dimensions, providing adaptability and resiliency without creating permanent loops. The structured lattice ensures that dynamic rerouting maintains loop-free paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring-lattice structure acts as an intermediary framework that manages redundancy systematically. Instead of arbitrary redundant links that may create loops, the structured rings provide controlled alternative paths with built-in loop prevention mechanisms, allowing redundancy to be introduced safely.
3Device complexity
If the number of virtual tunnel end-points is reduced to decrease device complexity, then scalability is improved, but packet forwarding path length increases when direct links are not available
Solution Approach 1:
By organizing the topology in multiple dimensions with hierarchical rings, the patent provides multiple intermediate routing options. When a direct link is unavailable, packets can traverse through different dimensional rings, keeping the additional path length minimal compared to flat topologies with fewer dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring-lattice structure pre-establishes systematic routing paths through its hierarchical ring organization. When direct links are unavailable, packets follow pre-defined routes through the lattice structure, avoiding the need for complex dynamic path calculations and minimizing forwarding delays.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are systems and methods providing a multi-dimensional ring-lattice network topology. Systems and methods disclosed herein provide for constructing network topologies in a form of a partial mesh (a partially connected network), where a bridge is capable of forwarding packets through other bridges when a direct link to the destination compute device is not available. A temporary on-demand tunnel is created by virtual networking software on-demand, to facilitate a direct tunnel between two virtual network interfaces where such a direct connection is not available with a permanent tunnel, and where there is sufficient traffic demand between these two interfaces that justifies a direct tunnel. The described approach provides a framework for achieving a compromise between link count limitation, and packet-forwarding path length, that can be tailored to address particular network requirements, together with a way to reliably predict the performance of the resulting network.