Switch Forwarding Unit Resource Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In distributed data center switches, the sequential processing of resource application messages by the management layer can lead to delays and failures in service establishment, especially in high-density environments where many forwarding units simultaneously request resources, resulting in overtime message processing and inefficient resource allocation.

Innovation Solution

A synchronous allocation module in the forwarding unit autonomously allocates unused resources by periodically synchronizing resource allocation information from the management layer, allowing for immediate resource allocation without waiting for a response, and subsequently sending asynchronous messages to the management layer for resource updates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the management layer sequentially processes resource application synchronous messages, then resource allocation accuracy is maintained, but message processing time increases and service establishment fails

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation accuracyVSAvoidmessage processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The management layer pre-calculates and pre-allocates resources before service establishment requests arrive. Resource allocation information is computed in advance and stored, so when forwarding units send synchronous messages, the allocation is already determined, eliminating sequential processing delays while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a copy of resource allocation information and distributes it to forwarding units. Each forwarding unit receives and stores local resource allocation information, allowing autonomous decision-making without waiting for sequential responses from the management layer, thus reducing message processing time while preserving allocation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Extent of automation

If forwarding units send resource application synchronous messages to the management layer, then resource allocation control is centralized, but service establishment fails due to message processing overtime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecentralized resource controlVSAvoidservice establishment success rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments resource allocation functionality into two parts: centralized resource management at the management layer and decentralized allocation execution at forwarding units. The management layer maintains overall control and distributes allocation information, while forwarding units independently execute allocations based on received information, ensuring both centralized control and high service establishment success rate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Resource allocation information acts as an intermediary between the management layer and forwarding units. The management layer generates and distributes this information, which then enables forwarding units to autonomously perform resource allocation without direct synchronous communication, maintaining centralized control while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If the management layer processes a large number of synchronous messages, then resource allocation completeness is ensured, but message processing overtime occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation completenessVSAvoidmessage processing throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Forwarding units are empowered to autonomously perform resource allocation based on pre-distributed resource allocation information. They self-serve by locally determining resource allocation without requiring sequential processing of each message by the management layer, ensuring complete resource allocation while dramatically increasing processing throughput.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The management layer performs preliminary resource allocation calculations and distributes the results to forwarding units in advance. This pre-computation allows forwarding units to execute allocations locally without generating extensive synchronous traffic to the management layer, maintaining allocation completeness while improving throughput.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3648423B1Resource allocation method and system

Publication Date: 2022.05.11 ZTE CORP

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AI summary

Provided are a method and system for allocating resources. The method comprises: a synchronous allocation module of a forwarding unit receiving a resource application request for a service of the forwarding unit, wherein the resource application request carries index information of the service of the forwarding unit, the forwarding unit is located in a forwarding layer of a switch, the synchronous allocation module stores first resource allocation information periodically synchronized by a management and allocation module on a management layer of the switch, and the first resource allocation information comprises information about allocated resources and unallocated resources; the synchronous allocation module searching for, from the first resource allocation information stored therein, a first resource that is not used and matches the index information, according to the index information and resource allocation information of the forwarding unit; and the synchronous allocation module autonomously allocating the first resource to the service for use.