Network Switch Dynamic Throughput Reassignment Without Reboot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network communication devices lack the ability to dynamically reassign throughput to different ports without rebooting, limiting their flexibility and efficiency in data center applications, particularly in Top of the Rack (TOR) designs, where modular chassis and reconfigurable serializers/deserializers are essential.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a network switch with dynamic reconfiguration capabilities allows for flexible allocation and reassignment of bandwidth to serializers/deserializers during operation, enabling all serializers/deserializers to be reconfigurable without rebooting, even if the number of logical ports is less than the number of serializers/deserializers, and allowing users to defer configuration decisions until runtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network communication devices use fixed throughput allocation at boot time, then device stability and simplicity are improved, but adaptability and flexibility to different network configurations deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic reconfiguration of serializer/deserializer assignments to logical ports during runtime. The system allows throughput allocation to be changed from fixed boot-time configuration to dynamic runtime adjustment, enabling the network switch to adapt to changing network topologies and requirements without rebooting. This resolves the contradiction by making the device adaptable while managing complexity through controlled dynamic changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of throughput allocation from static to dynamic. By allowing reconfiguration of which serializers/deserializers are assigned to which logical ports during operation, the system enables parameter changes without requiring device reboot, thus improving adaptability while maintaining operational stability.
2Productivity
If network switches require reboot for reconfiguration, then configuration stability is improved, but operational continuity and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous network switch operation during reconfiguration events. The system allows runtime reassignment of throughput allocation and serializer/deserializer configurations without requiring shutdown or reboot, thus maintaining continuous useful action (data forwarding) while enabling configuration changes. This resolves the contradiction by ensuring operational continuity while maintaining configuration stability through controlled reconfiguration processes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If serializers/deserializers are statically assigned to logical ports, then device simplicity and reliability are improved, but flexibility and adaptability to modular chassis designs deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes serializers/deserializers universally assignable to different logical ports through dynamic reconfiguration. Instead of static one-to-one assignments, the system allows any serializer/deserializer to be assigned to any logical port based on runtime requirements, enabling universal functionality that supports modular chassis designs and various network topologies while managing complexity through standardized reconfiguration interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A network switch including a set of communication ports is provided. The communication ports may have an allocated prebuffer to store data during packet switching operations. The network switch may further include a calendar associated with the set of communication ports that provides bandwidth configuration for the set of communication ports. The network switch may further include a secondary calendar that may be dynamically setup. The secondary calendar may provide an alternative bandwidth configuration strategy for the set of communication ports. The switch includes circuitry that may increase the prebuffer size and upon the successful increase of the prebuffer size reconfigure the set of communication ports from the original calendar to the secondary calendar, without a reboot. The circuitry may reset the prebuffer size after reconfiguration is complete and the switch may continue operation according to the reconfigured settings.