Software-Based Fabric Abstraction for Dynamic Link Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network fabrics suffer from inefficient utilization of channels within physical network links and increased communication latency due to the lack of a unified view of network nodes, especially in geographically dispersed environments, limiting their effectiveness in optimizing data transmission.
Innovation Solution
A software-based approach that provides a first and second fabric abstraction layer within a network device, allowing an application programming interface (API) to configure network connections efficiently by accessing and managing physical link information through integrated hardware and software modules across different OSI layers, enabling dynamic allocation and management of network paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If network fabrics use multiple physical paths for data transmission, then data throughput increases, but channel utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic path selection and channel allocation mechanisms that adapt to real-time network conditions. The system continuously monitors channel utilization and dynamically adjusts data flow distribution across multiple physical paths, ensuring optimal throughput while maintaining high channel utilization efficiency through flexible, real-time resource allocation
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where network nodes report channel utilization metrics to a central controller or neighboring nodes. This feedback enables the network to identify underutilized channels and redirect data flows accordingly, resolving the contradiction between maximizing throughput and maintaining efficient channel usage through continuous optimization
2Quantity of substance
If the number of network elements increases, then network capacity increases, but communication latency increases due to lack of world view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary mechanisms such as path computation elements (PCE) or controller nodes that maintain a global view of the network topology and state. These intermediaries compute optimal end-to-end paths by considering overall network conditions, enabling large-scale networks to achieve low latency by centralizing routing intelligence without requiring each node to have complete world view
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary path computation and resource reservation before data transmission. By pre-calculating optimal paths and reserving necessary resources in advance based on predicted traffic patterns and current network state, the system reduces actual transmission latency while supporting large network capacities through proactive planning
3Adaptability or versatility
If network fabrics support multiple logical data paths, then routing flexibility increases, but communication latency increases due to numerous logical structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into hierarchical levels or functional domains, organizing multiple logical paths into structured tiers. This segmentation reduces the complexity of path selection by breaking down the overwhelming number of logical structures into manageable segments, enabling faster routing decisions while maintaining routing flexibility through hierarchical path selection
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes routing parameters such as path selection criteria, traffic engineering parameters, and logical topology configurations based on real-time network conditions. By adjusting these parameters, the system optimizes the balance between routing flexibility and latency, selecting appropriate logical paths that provide both adaptability and low-latency transmission
Data Source
AI summary
A first fabric abstraction layer couples to a data link layer and a physical layer of a network fabric device. The network fabric device is connected to other network elements within a network via at least one network connection, such as a fiber optic connection. A second fabric abstraction layer couples to the data link layer and an application of the network device. The second fabric abstraction layer provides an application programming interface (API) to the application. The API allows the application to generate configuration instructions for configuring the at least one network connection. Upon receiving the configuration instructions generated by the application, the second abstraction layer sends the configuration instructions to the first abstraction layer via the data link layer. The first abstraction layer then configures the at least one network connection to transmit data according to the configuration instructions.