Simulated Fibre Channel Trunking via Ethernet Load Balancing
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Fibre Channel (FC) Storage Area Networks require expensive and proprietary FC switch chips for trunking FC links, leading to inefficient traffic balancing and underutilization of bandwidth due to FC level handshaking operations.
Innovation Solution
An Information Handling System (IHS) utilizing Ethernet links to simulate FC trunking by grouping Ethernet links with an Ethernet switch processor, which load balances Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) traffic, eliminating the need for FC level handshaking and proprietary FC switch chips.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional FC trunking is implemented using FC switch chips, then FC link aggregation is achieved, but system cost increases and bandwidth utilization becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of FC trunking functionality through software simulation. The virtual FC trunking group is implemented as a virtual interface that mimics the behavior of physical FC trunking, allowing multiple virtual FC links to be aggregated without requiring expensive proprietary FC switch chips. This virtualization approach copies the essential functionality while eliminating hardware dependencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical FC switch chip infrastructure with a software-based Ethernet switching system. By substituting the proprietary FC hardware mechanism with an Ethernet-based software solution, the system eliminates the need for expensive FC switch chips while maintaining the core functionality of link aggregation and load balancing through virtualization techniques.
2Reliability
If FC level handshaking operations are performed for trunking, then link aggregation is established, but traffic balancing efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent copies the trunking establishment process at the virtual layer rather than requiring actual FC level handshaking. The virtual FC trunking group establishes links through Ethernet-based mechanisms that simulate FC trunking behavior, bypassing the inefficient FC handshaking protocol while maintaining the appearance and functionality of established trunking relationships.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtualization layer as an intermediary between the Ethernet infrastructure and the FC protocol requirements. This virtual FC trunking group acts as a mediator that translates Ethernet link aggregation into FC-compatible trunking behavior, eliminating the need for direct FC level handshaking while maintaining compatibility with FC SAN requirements.
3Reliability
If proprietary FC switch chips are used, then FC trunking functionality is provided, but operational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of FC trunking functionality that runs on standard Ethernet infrastructure. By implementing a virtual FC trunking group as software rather than hardware, the system replicates the essential FC trunking capabilities without requiring expensive proprietary FC switch chips, dramatically reducing operational costs while maintaining functional equivalence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, proprietary FC switch chip hardware with inexpensive software-based virtualization components. The virtual FC trunking group is implemented as a software object that can be deployed on commodity Ethernet switches, eliminating the need for costly specialized hardware and reducing both capital and operational expenditures.
Data Source
AI summary
A FC networking system includes a first FC networking device that is coupled to a FC storage system. A second FC networking device is coupled to a server device and includes a first FC PHY converter that is coupled to the first FC networking device via a first and a second FC link. The second FC networking device also includes an Ethernet switch processor that is coupled to the first FC PHY converter via a plurality of Ethernet links. The Ethernet links include a first Ethernet link that is mapped to the second FC link and a second Ethernet link that is mapped to the third FC link. The second FC networking device groups the first Ethernet link with the second Ethernet link to provide an aggregated interface, and load balances FCoE traffic between the first Ethernet link and the second Ethernet link.