Switch Port Addressing for Virtual Machine Scaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing NPIV implementation in switches is limited to 127 or 255 virtual addresses per physical port, which is insufficient for the increasing demand of virtual machines, necessitating an extension of port addressing capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a switch with a routing table and multiple port identifier tables that associate unique area fields with the same port, allowing multiple area fields to be assigned to a single port, enabling extended port addressing and supporting multiple virtual machines by assigning identifier values to adapters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional NPIV implementation is used, then the system is simple and reliable, but the number of virtual ports per physical port is limited to 127 or 255
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the port identifier space by introducing multiple port identifier tables (first port identifier table, second port identifier table, etc.), each associated with different area fields. This segmentation allows the system to support more virtual ports than a single table could handle, resolving the contradiction between increasing virtual port quantity and maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to the addressing scheme by introducing area fields in addition to the traditional port identifiers. This dimensional expansion allows the system to address more virtual ports by combining area field values with port identifier values, effectively increasing the addressable space without fundamentally changing the basic switch structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of virtual ports is increased to meet virtual machine demands, then the system becomes more versatile, but the traditional addressing scheme becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the switch structure multi-functional by enabling each physical port to serve multiple area fields simultaneously. A single port can be associated with multiple area fields in the port identifier tables, allowing the same physical port to support multiple virtual machines with different area field assignments, thereby increasing versatility without requiring additional physical ports.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates multiple copies of port identifier tables (first port identifier table, second port identifier table, etc.), each copy associated with different area fields. This copying approach allows the system to maintain the familiar port identifier structure while multiplying the available addressing space, enabling support for more virtual machines without inventing a completely new addressing mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for routing frames are provided. A system includes an initiator operationally coupled to a first switch that is coupled to a second switch. The first switch includes a plurality of ports for sending and receiving frames and includes a routing table that identifies a port identifier steering table based on an area field of a frame header of a frame received by the first switch. The first switch also includes a plurality of port identifier tables, where each port identifier table is associated with a unique area field and identifies a same port of the first switch for a plurality of area fields. The second switch stores an area steering table with port identification information associated with an area field of a frame header of a frame received by the second switch and a same port of the second switch is assigned to multiple area fields.