Transaction Fencing in Multi-Domain Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

In multi-domain computer networks, establishing and tearing connections while managing transactions is challenging due to the complexity of maintaining full-duplex connectivity and the risk of data corruption from unsynchronized disconnections, especially with Infiniband and ROCE protocols, which can lead to communication errors and data inconsistencies.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for transaction fencing that includes an error identification module to detect communication errors, a tearing module to disconnect and clear outstanding transactions, and a connection enable module to re-establish connections, utilizing Infiniband specifications and connection management services to synchronize disconnections and flush transactions, ensuring data integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If connections are torn down in a multi-domain network to manage communication errors, then error handling capability is improved, but data corruption risk increases due to unsynchronized disconnections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerror handling capabilityVSAvoiddata corruption risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by flushing outstanding transactions before tearing down connections. The system identifies and clears all pending transactions associated with a destination node before disconnecting, ensuring that no data is lost or corrupted during the transition. This preliminary flushing operation prevents data corruption while maintaining reliable error handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms through error identification modules that detect communication errors and trigger appropriate responses. The system continuously monitors network connections, and when errors are detected, it initiates transaction fencing operations. The feedback loop ensures that disconnection actions are taken only when necessary and are properly coordinated to prevent data corruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If transaction fencing operations are implemented to prevent data corruption, then data integrity is improved, but system complexity increases due to coordination requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the transaction fencing operation into distinct modular components: error identification modules, transaction flushing modules, and connection tearing modules. Each module handles a specific aspect of the operation independently. This segmentation reduces system complexity by making each component manageable and independently implementable while maintaining overall data integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses intermediary structures such as transaction identifiers and connection state markers to coordinate between different modules. These intermediaries facilitate communication and synchronization between error identification, transaction flushing, and connection tearing operations without requiring complex direct coordination, thereby reducing overall system complexity while ensuring data integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If outstanding transactions are flushed before disconnection, then data consistency is improved, but communication overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata consistencyVSAvoidcommunication overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by proactively flushing outstanding transactions before connection errors can cause data inconsistency. Instead of reacting to errors after they occur, the system preemptively clears pending transactions when connection issues are detected, preventing the need for more extensive error recovery operations that would consume more resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by performing transaction flushing operations before tearing down connections. This preliminary clearance of outstanding transactions ensures data consistency is maintained while the connection is being terminated, preventing the need for more resource-intensive recovery operations later and reducing overall communication overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10958527B2Transaction fencing in a multi-domain network

Publication Date: 2021.03.23 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

Methods and systems for transaction fencing in a multi-domain network are provided. A system for providing transaction fencing in a multi-domain network includes an error identification module that identifies a communication error between a source domain and a destination node. The communication error is associated with a connection in a plurality of connections between a plurality of domains. Additionally, the system includes a tearing module that disconnects the destination node from the plurality of domains and clears outstanding transactions associated with the destination node in the plurality of domains. Further, the system includes a connection enable module that enables connections between the plurality of domains and the destination node.