Switch Device Segmentation for FCoE and Ethernet Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In integrated LAN/SAN networks using FCoE, the sharing of network links leads to instability and performance issues when faults occur, affecting multiple storage network systems due to the lack of isolation between inter-server and storage communications.
Innovation Solution
A switch device with multiple ports, a determination circuit, a processor, and relay circuits that utilize relay tables to differentiate and route Ethernet and FCoE frames independently, ensuring that communication paths for inter-server and storage communications do not interfere with each other.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network links are shared between inter-server communication and storage communication in an integrated LAN/SAN network, then network resource utilization is improved, but communication stability deteriorates when faults occur affecting multiple storage network systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the relay processing function into two independent relay circuits: a first relay circuit for Ethernet frames and a second relay circuit for FCoE frames. Each relay circuit independently processes its respective frame type using separate relay tables, thereby isolating storage communication from inter-server communication even though they share the same physical network links. This segmentation prevents fault propagation between different communication types while maintaining high network resource utilization.
2Reliability
If separate networks are organized for inter-server communication and storage communication, then communication reliability is improved, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the physical network infrastructure for inter-server communication and storage communication into a single integrated network, eliminating the need for completely separate physical networks. However, it maintains logical separation through the dual relay circuit architecture with distinct relay tables for Ethernet and FCoE frames. This approach achieves the reliability of separate networks while reducing the complexity and cost of maintaining entirely separate physical infrastructures.
3Productivity
If FCoE multi-hop connection is implemented to share network, then bandwidth utilization is improved, but fault influence spreads to multiple storage network systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements segmentation at the relay processing level by creating independent relay paths for Ethernet frames and FCoE frames. The second relay circuit specifically handles FCoE frames with multi-hop connections, using a dedicated relay table that tracks FCoE-specific routing information. This ensures that while FCoE multi-hop connections can utilize shared network bandwidth efficiently, any faults in the FCoE path are contained within the second relay circuit and do not propagate to Ethernet communications handled by the first relay circuit.
4Reliability
If relay tables are used to route frames independently, then communication isolation is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the relay table into two separate, dedicated tables: one for Ethernet frame routing and another for FCoE frame routing. Each relay table contains only the routing information relevant to its specific frame type, simplifying the lookup process within each table. The determination circuit automatically directs frames to the appropriate relay circuit based on frame type, which then consults the corresponding relay table. This segmentation reduces processing complexity compared to a single large relay table that would need to handle both frame types, while maintaining effective communication isolation.
Data Source
AI summary
A switch device includes: a first relay circuit deciding a transmission port to which the frame of the first communication is output, when the received frame is the first communication; a processor deciding a transmission port corresponding to a destination address of the received frame, and generating a second relay table including information for identifying the transmission port corresponding to the destination address of the received frame; and a second relay circuit deciding a transmission port to which the frame of the second communication is output, as the transmission port to which the frame of the second communication is output, a transmission port corresponding to the destination address of the received frame among the plurality of ports on the basis of the content of the second relay table, when the port that has received the frame of the second communication is an end port.