RoCE Packet Marking for Adaptive Routing Eligibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication networks face challenges in efficiently routing Remote Direct Memory Access over Converged Ethernet (RoCE) traffic, particularly due to the requirement for strict in-order arrival of packets, which limits the application of Adaptive Routing (AR) techniques.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a network adapter and network device that mark RoCE packets with an eligibility mark indicating whether they can undergo Adaptive Routing (AR). This mark is set based on negotiations with peer network adapters and host overrides, allowing only eligible packets to use AR, while others are routed statically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If Adaptive Routing is applied to RoCE traffic, then network resource utilization is improved, but packet order requirements may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different routing qualities to different packets by introducing an eligibility mark. Packets are categorized into AR-eligible and AR-ineligible based on their ability to handle out-of-order delivery. This local differentiation allows AR to be applied selectively to improve network resource utilization while maintaining strict in-order delivery for packets that require it, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.
2Productivity
If all RoCE packets are marked as eligible for Adaptive Routing, then network resource utilization is maximized, but packets requiring strict in-order delivery may be routed incorrectly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the state parameter of RoCE packets by introducing an eligibility mark that indicates whether a packet can tolerate out-of-order delivery. This parameter change enables network devices to make informed routing decisions, maximizing resource utilization for eligible packets while preventing delivery errors for ineligible packets that require strict in-order delivery.
3Manufacturing precision
If packet marking is implemented, then routing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the routing decision criterion from complex packet inspection by using a simple eligibility mark in the transport header. This mark serves as a pre-computed indicator that allows network devices to quickly determine whether AR should be applied without performing complex analysis, thus improving routing precision while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A network adapter includes a port and one or more circuits. The port is to send packets to a network in accordance with a Remote Direct Memory Access over Converged Ethernet (RoCE) protocol. The one or more circuits are to decide whether a packet is permitted to undergo Adaptive Routing (AR) in being routed through the network, to mark the packet with an indication of whether the packet is permitted to undergo AR, and to send the marked packet to the network via the port.