Switch Port Hardware Test Traffic Generation and Inspection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for test traffic generation and inspection in network calculation nodes are limited in effectiveness and often disrupt the network, failing to precisely localize cabling or routing failures, especially in large networks.

Innovation Solution

Implementing hardware components for test traffic generation and inspection at network switches, allowing for precise localization of failures without disrupting the network core, and enabling verification before terminal calculation node installation, with minimal impact on routing tables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If software-based test traffic generation and inspection is used from terminal calculation nodes, then network verification can be performed, but the overall effectiveness is limited and notable disruption occurs in the network

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork verification effectivenessVSAvoidnetwork operational continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces software-based test traffic generation and inspection with hardware-based components integrated into network switches. Specifically, test traffic generation is performed by a hardware component in the output port circuitry of source switches, and inspection is performed by a hardware component in the input port circuitry of destination switches. This hardware substitution eliminates the disruptions caused by software-based methods while improving verification effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dedicated hardware components as intermediaries between the network switches and the test traffic flow. These components include a test traffic generation unit in the output port and a test traffic inspection unit in the input port, which act as mediators to perform verification functions without involving terminal calculation nodes, thereby avoiding network disruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If very local test method is used from output port to directly connected input port, then specific failure type can be detected, but the method is limited and incapable of locating cabling or routing failures within the network

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefailure detection capabilityVSAvoidfailure localization scope

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal test traffic generation and inspection mechanism that can detect various types of failures (cabling, routing, connection) across different network paths. The hardware components are designed to work with any source-destination switch pair, enabling both local port verification and global network path verification through the same infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the network verification function into distributed hardware components located at multiple switches throughout the network. Each switch can independently generate and inspect test traffic, allowing failures to be localized to specific network segments or paths by analyzing which test traffic flows are affected.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If test traffic generation and inspection is implemented in all switches, then precise failure localization is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefailure localization precisionVSAvoidswitch hardware complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the test traffic generation and inspection functions with the existing switch output and input port circuitry. The test traffic generation unit is integrated into the output port hardware, and the inspection unit is integrated into the input port hardware, sharing existing resources such as port buffers, arbitration logic, and signal processing circuits, thereby minimizing additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service functionality where each switch automatically generates and inspects test traffic through its own hardware components without requiring external test equipment or complex coordination. The switches use their own port circuitry to perform verification, reducing the need for additional external devices and simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11621906B2Method for test traffic generation and inspection, and associated switch input or output port and switch

Publication Date: 2023.04.04 THE FRENCH ALTERNATIVE ENERGIES & ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION

AI summary

Disclosed is a method for test traffic generation, at test-sending switches for a network of calculation nodes, and of inspection of this test traffic, at test-receiving switches of this network, including: the generation and sending of test traffic, at least at a selected test-sending input or output port of one selected test-sending switch, sent to at least one selected test-receiving input or output port of a selected test-receiving switch, where the test traffic is generated and sent by a traffic generation component configured as an additional input of the selected test-sending input or output port, where the test traffic is inspected by a traffic inspection component configured for filtering the output of the selected test-receiving input or output port.