Hybrid Optical-Electrical Data Communication via VOQ Quotas
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Solution Overview
Problem
In data center networks, existing hybrid networking modes face challenges in reducing latency and ensuring end-to-end quality of service (QoS) due to the need for large buffers at access layers to distinguish between heavy and light traffic, which causes extra latency and complex optical switching scheduling.
Innovation Solution
A data communication method and apparatus that uses virtual output queues (VOQs) to request and send data packets based on target data volume quotas, eliminating the need to distinguish between heavy and light traffic by sending request information and receiving response information to determine the target data volume quota for optical node transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large buffers are used at access layer to distinguish between heavy and light traffic, then traffic differentiation is achieved, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the traffic differentiation function from the access layer buffers and relocates it to the optical switching layer. The access layer nodes simply forward packets to optical nodes, which then perform fine-grained scheduling and QoS management based on traffic priorities, eliminating the need for large buffers at access layer while maintaining traffic differentiation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimensional approach by implementing hierarchical scheduling across multiple layers: coarse-grained scheduling at access layer and fine-grained scheduling at optical layer. This multi-dimensional scheduling architecture allows traffic differentiation without requiring large buffers at access layer, as the optical layer handles the detailed QoS management
2Productivity
If optical switching is used at core layer, then bandwidth increases and power consumption decreases, but scheduling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the scheduling function into two independent parts: coarse-grained scheduling at electrical access layer nodes and fine-grained scheduling at optical core layer nodes. Each layer handles scheduling at its own granularity level, which simplifies the overall system complexity while maintaining high bandwidth utilization of optical switching
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic scheduling where the scheduling granularity and control mechanisms adapt to different traffic types and network conditions. Electrical nodes perform simplified scheduling for common traffic patterns, while optical nodes provide dynamic fine-grained scheduling for priority and QoS requirements, optimizing the balance between complexity and performance
3Device complexity
If coarse-grained scheduling is implemented in optical switching, then scheduling complexity is reduced, but end-to-end QoS cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides QoS management into two segments: QoS parameter configuration and admission control at electrical access layer, and fine-grained packet scheduling and priority management at optical core layer. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specialized function efficiently, ensuring end-to-end QoS while keeping individual node complexity manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where optical nodes monitor traffic flow characteristics and QoS compliance, and adjust scheduling parameters dynamically. The system uses feedback from network conditions to optimize scheduling decisions at both electrical and optical layers, ensuring QoS requirements are met while adapting to changing traffic patterns
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a data communication method, including: sending, by the first electrical node, request information to an electrical node, where the request information is used to request an expected data volume quota of a first VOQ, and the first VOQ stores at least one first data packet to be sent to the electrical node; receiving response information, where the response information includes a target data volume quota; and sending the at least one first data packet to the electrical node via the at least one optical node based on the target data volume quota.