Switch Address Learning via Partitioned Tables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional communication processing apparatuses face inefficiencies in data relay processes due to flooding issues when handling data between partitions in a switch with partitioning, leading to performance degradation.
Innovation Solution
A communication processing apparatus that includes a first storage unit for associating port identifiers with network identifiers and a second storage unit for associating address information with port identifiers, allowing the processor to learn and store source address information along with port identifiers, thereby preventing flooding by identifying correct destination ports even when receiving data via different partitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a switch employs partitioning to function as multiple logical switches, then device versatility is improved, but data relay efficiency deteriorates due to flooding when the same network is connected to multiple partitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the address table into multiple partition-specific tables (first address table for partition 1, second address table for partition 2, etc.). Each address table stores address information only for devices connected to networks accessible from that specific partition. This segmentation prevents flooding by allowing the switch to quickly determine which address table to search based on the reception port's partition, eliminating the need to broadcast to all partitions when the destination address is found in a specific partition's table.
2Measurement precision
If address information is learned for all ports regardless of partition, then measurement precision of destination port is improved, but loss of time occurs due to searching through all partitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating specialized address tables tailored to each partition's specific network topology. Each address table contains only the address information relevant to that partition, with entries organized according to the specific networks connected to that partition. This allows the switch to achieve precise destination port identification by searching only the relevant partition's address table, rather than searching through all partitions, thereby reducing search time while maintaining accuracy.
3Reliability
If the switch searches all address tables to find destination ports, then reliability of data delivery is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to increased processing time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-organizing address information into partition-specific tables during the address learning phase. When a data frame is received, the switch first identifies the partition of the reception port and directly accesses the corresponding address table, rather than searching all tables. This preliminary organization of data by partition enables the switch to maintain high data delivery reliability by ensuring the correct address table is searched, while simultaneously improving productivity by eliminating unnecessary searches through other partition tables.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication processing apparatus includes a first storage unit, a second storage unit, and a processor. The first storage unit stores, for each of a plurality of port identifiers, a port identifier and a network identifier in association with each other. The second storage unit stores address information and a set of port identifiers in association with each other. The processor extracts a first network identifier associated with a first port identifier for identifying a reception port from the first storage unit, extracts second port identifiers associated with the extracted first network identifier from the first storage unit, and stores source address information of the received data and a first set of port identifiers in association with each other in the second storage unit. The first set of port identifiers includes the first port identifier and the extracted second port identifiers.