Network Switch

• US 20110107004A1
• Filed: 11/05/2009
• Published: 05/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GigaIO Networks, Inc.
• Original Assignee: RJ Intellectual Property LLC
• Inventors: Maitra, Jayanta Kumar
• Granted Patent: US 8,359,401 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/316
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/10 characterised by the switching fabric construction

Abstract

A system and method for electronically transferring data between servers in a Local Area Network (LAN) requires a Network switch. Essentially, the Network switch incorporates a PCI Express switch that is run by a Central Processing Unit (CPU). A plurality of connectors (i.e. one for each server in the system) is provided to directly connect the PCI Express capability of the respective server to the PCI Express switch. With these connections, the CPU is used to implement an Internet Protocol (IP) routing function in compliance with IP addresses provided by respective servers to route data through the system from one server to another.

Claims

1. A system for using PCI Express technology to transfer electronic data within an area Network at increased transmission rates, the system comprising:

a plurality of servers in the Network, wherein each server has a PCI Express capability;

a Network switch; and

a plurality of connectors, with each connector being used to connect a respective server with the Network switch, wherein each connector establishes a multi-lane serial link between a respective server and the Network switch, and further wherein the Network switch selectively establishes communications between different servers in the Network to increase data transmission rates between servers in the Network using PCI Express technology.

2. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the connector comprises:

a cable incorporating PCI Express technology, with the cable having a first end and a second end;

a first device attached to the first end of the cable for engaging the cable with a server, to join the PCI Express capability of the server with the PCI Express technology of the cable; and

a second device attached to the second end of the cable for engaging the cable with the Network switch to join the PCI Express capability of the Network switch with the PCI Express technology of the cable.

3. A system as recited in claim 2 wherein the first device is a PCI Express endpoint and the second device is a PCI Express non-transparent bridge end point.

4. A system as recited in claim 2 wherein the system uses a PCI Express data transfer protocol for data transfers between each server and the Network switch.

5. A system as recited in claim 2 wherein each server uses an Internet Protocol (IP) to establish IP addresses with embedded host computer and Network address identifier information, and the Network switch uses an IP router application run by a Central Processing Unit (CPU) to perform a routing function in compliance with each IP address.

6. A system as recited in claim 2 wherein the cable is selected from a group consisting of copper wiring and fiber optic cabling.

7. A system as recited in claim 2 wherein the Network switch includes a PCI Express switch for establishing a point-to-point connection between the Network switch and each individual server.

8. A system as recited in claim 7 wherein the PCI Express switch includes data buffer hardware resources and the switch uses the data buffer hardware resources of the PCI Express switch to augment the data buffering functions needed to facilitate data routing functions.

9. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the Network switch includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU) and a Root Complex interface.

10. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein each connector incorporates PCI Express technology and has a greater than x4 lane capability.

11. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the Network switch has an Internet access capability for establishing a connection between an individual server and the Internet.

12. A system for using PCI Express technology to transfer electronic data within an area Network at increased transmission rates, the system comprising:

a plurality of servers, wherein each server includes an Internet Protocol (IP) layer for establishing IP addresses having host computer and Network address identifier information embedded in the IP address for routing data, and a protocol driver for electronically connecting the IP layer of the server with a PCI Express endpoint on the server;

a Network switch with a Central Processing Unit (CPU) incorporating an IP Router function wherein the CPU uses the IP address identifier information from individual servers to route data between servers;

a PCI Express switch electronically interfaced with the CPU; and

a plurality of connectors, wherein each connector incorporates PCI Express technology between a first end and a second end of the connector, with a first device attached to the first end for engaging the connector with the PCI Express endpoint on the server, and with a second device attached to the second end for engaging the connector with the PCI Express switch attached to the CPU for routing the data within the Network in accordance with an Internet Protocol and for transferring data between servers in the Network at increased transmission rates using a PCI Express data transfer protocol.

13. A system as recited in claim 12 wherein each connector establishes a multi-lane serial link between a respective server and the PCI Express switch, and further wherein the PCI Express switch selectively establishes communications between different servers in the Network.

14. A system as recited in claim 12 wherein each connector incorporates PCI Express technology and has a greater than x4 lane capability.

15. A system as recited in claim 12 wherein each connector includes a cable and the cable is selected from a group consisting of copper wiring and fiber optic cabling.

16. A system as recited in claim 12 wherein the Network switch has an Internet access capability for establishing a connection between an individual server and the Internet.

17. A system as recited in claim 12 wherein the PCI Express switch includes data buffer hardware resources and the CPU uses the data buffer hardware resources included in the PCI Express switch to augment the data buffering functions needed to facilitate the data routing functions of the switch.

18. A system as recited in claim 12 wherein the first device is a PCI Express endpoint and the second device is a PCI Express non-transparent bridge end point.

19. A system as recited in claim 12 wherein the Network functions as a Local Area Network (LAN).

20. A method for using PCI Express technology to transfer electronic data within an area Network at increased transmission rates, the method comprising the steps of:

connecting a plurality of servers in the Network to a Network switch, wherein each server has a PCI Express capability; and

using a plurality of connectors, with each connector being used to connect a respective server with the Network switch, wherein each connector establishes a multi-lane serial link between a respective server and the Network switch, and further wherein the Network switch selectively establishes communications between different servers in the Network to increase data transmission rates between servers in the Network using PCI Express technology.