Traffic Spraying in Chassis-Based Network Switches

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication networks face challenges in efficiently load-balancing network traffic and ensuring low latency, especially when multiple hardware components with different data processing rates are used in a single switching system.

Innovation Solution

A modular switching device with interconnected packet processors and connecting devices, where data packets are aggregated into communication frames, segmented into transmission units, and reassembled using unique identifiers, allowing for efficient traffic routing and synchronization across the network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple hardware components with different data processing rates are used in a single switching system, then the system can handle diverse network traffic requirements, but load-balancing becomes difficult and latency requirements are not met

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle diverse network traffic requirementsVSAvoidload-balancing efficiency and latency requirement fulfillment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments data packets into smaller units called cells, each with a sequence number, and transmits them through multiple parallel uplinks simultaneously. This segmentation enables the system to handle diverse traffic requirements while maintaining load-balancing efficiency and meeting latency requirements by distributing packet segments across multiple paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic frame aggregation and segmentation where the packet processor aggregates packets into frames and dynamically segments them into cells based on real-time network conditions. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to varying traffic patterns and hardware processing rates while maintaining reliable load-balancing and low latency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If data packets are transmitted through multiple uplinks with different processing rates, then throughput is improved, but synchronization and reassembly become complex

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovethroughputVSAvoidsynchronization and reassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by attaching sequence numbers to each cell before transmission and establishing the cell structure in advance. This preliminary preparation simplifies the synchronization and reassembly process at the receiving end, allowing the system to achieve high throughput through multiple uplinks without excessive complexity in coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses sequence numbers as an intermediary mechanism to coordinate between multiple uplinks with different processing rates. These sequence numbers act as mediators that enable simple synchronization and correct reassembly of packet segments without requiring complex coordination protocols, thus maintaining high productivity while managing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If packets are divided into smaller units for parallel transmission, then load-balancing is improved, but overhead for identifiers and position tracking increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload-balancing efficiencyVSAvoidoverhead for identifiers and position tracking

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of packet size by dividing packets into cells of optimal size for parallel transmission. This parameter change enables improved load-balancing efficiency while the overhead is minimized by using compact sequence numbers and position identifiers that are efficiently managed through the cell structure, achieving high productivity without excessive overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9166916B1Traffic spraying in a chassis-based network switch

Publication Date: 2015.10.20 MARVELL ASIA PTE LTD

AI summary

In a modular switching device that includes a plurality of packet processors interconnected by a plurality of connecting devices, one or more data packets are received at a first packet processor. The first packet processor generates a communication frame that includes at least a portion of a first data packet among the one or more data packets. The first packet processor divides the communication frame into a plurality of transmission units, includes a communication frame identifier in respective transmission units, and includes a respective position identifier in respective transmission units. The transmission units are transmitted to the plurality of connecting devices via a first plurality of uplinks, and the plurality of connecting devices transmits the transmission units to the second packet processor via a second plurality of uplinks. The communication frame is reassembled from the plurality of transmission units using the communication frame identifier and the position identifiers.