JP2008166881A - Link aggregation circuit, and method for optimizing link aggregation access control logic - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a link aggregation circuit which can automatically select an access control logic corresponding to variation in properties of a network. <P>SOLUTION: A control section 11 automatically detects the fact that an improper access control logic is detected based on the contents of a discard counter 13 for counting discarded packets, and a port counter 14 for counting the flow rate of each link aggregation port 15-1 to 15-n. The control section 11 sets a proper access control logic in a distribution protocol processing section 12 depending on the detection results. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a link aggregation circuit, a network device, and a link aggregation distribution logic optimization method used therefor, and more particularly to a network device using a link aggregation function.

  Some network devices use a link aggregation function that enables high-speed packet communication by theoretically treating a plurality of links constituting a network as one link (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In this case, in the network device, the packet is distributed to a plurality of link aggregation ports according to the packet distribution logic (protocol), and the setting of the packet distribution logic is manually performed by the maintenance person.

  As the packet distribution logic, there has been proposed a method that enables equal (strictly, almost equal) bandwidth distribution to a plurality of physical ports constituting a logical port for link aggregation (for example, a patent). Reference 2).

  In the method described in Patent Document 2, a data transmission apparatus as a traffic distribution control apparatus uses a hash function to send a destination address of a received packet in order to distribute traffic to a plurality of physical ports constituting a logical port of link aggregation. The hash value is calculated from the source address and the destination physical port is determined.

  The data transmission device includes: a measuring unit that measures an output flow rate of a packet from each of a plurality of physical ports; a calculating unit that calculates a flow rate ratio between the plurality of physical ports for the counted output flow rate; And a control means for changing the number allocation of hash values for determining the destination physical port by feeding back the flow rate ratio to the bandwidth distribution ratio among the plurality of physical ports.

JP 2005-236631 A JP 2006-005437 A

  In the above-described conventional network device, when an appropriate distribution logic is not designated as a packet distribution logic, a large deviation occurs in the packets flowing to each of the link aggregation ports, and packets larger than the output flow rate of the link aggregation port are When it flows into the port, a packet that should be flown is discarded.

  Normally, the packet distribution logic is set by the maintainer, but in order to set an appropriate distribution logic, it is necessary to understand the nature of the network. Even if an appropriate distribution logic is specified at the time of setting, the distribution logic becomes inappropriate if the properties of the incoming packets change with time.

  Conventionally, in a network device that performs link aggregation, since the maintenance operator manually performs distribution logic selection work, it is necessary to grasp the nature of the network in order to select an appropriate distribution logic. Since it is difficult to grasp the nature of the network configured with the above, there is a problem that an appropriate distribution logic cannot be selected.

  In the conventional network device, even if the network characteristics are grasped once and an appropriate distribution logic is set, the optimal distribution logic changes due to the change of the network equipment and the change of the network characteristics over time. In the manual setting by the maintenance person, it takes time to grasp the change in properties, and there is a problem that an appropriate distribution logic cannot be selected.

  The technique described in Patent Document 1 described above is a technique for suppressing transmission of data packets toward a congestion occurrence place without invalidating the link aggregation function. The technique described in Patent Document 2 is a packet distribution logic. Therefore, the above-mentioned problem cannot be solved.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems and to automatically select a distribution logic corresponding to a change in network properties, a link aggregation circuit, a network device, and a link aggregation distribution logic optimization method used therefor Is to provide.

The first link aggregation circuit according to the present invention is a link aggregation circuit that handles layer 2 that uses link aggregation that enables high-speed packet communication by theoretically treating a plurality of links constituting a network as one link. There,
A plurality of ports for link aggregation, control means for automatically optimizing MAC (Media Access Control) distribution logic, and distribution processing for distributing incoming packets to the plurality of ports by the optimized MAC distribution logic Means.

The second link aggregation circuit according to the present invention is a link aggregation circuit that handles layer 2 that uses link aggregation that enables high-speed packet communication by theoretically treating a plurality of links constituting a network as one link. There,
A plurality of ports for link aggregation, a discard counter that counts discarded packets, a port counter that counts the flow rate of each of the plurality of ports, and flows into the plurality of ports by a preset distribution logic A distribution processing means for distributing packets, and detecting that an inappropriate distribution logic is selected based on the contents of each of the discard counter and the port counter, and an appropriate distribution logic for the distribution processing means according to the detection result And control means for setting.

  A network device according to the present invention includes any one of the first and second link aggregation circuits.

The first link aggregation distribution logic optimization method according to the present invention handles layer 2 using link aggregation that enables high-speed packet communication by theoretically treating a plurality of links constituting a network as one link. A link aggregation distribution logic optimization method used in a link aggregation circuit,
The link aggregation circuit automatically optimizes MAC (Media Access Control) distribution logic, and distributes inflow packets to the plurality of ports for link aggregation using the optimized MAC distribution logic. Processing and executing.

The second link aggregation distribution logic optimization method according to the present invention handles layer 2 using link aggregation that enables high-speed packet communication by theoretically treating a plurality of links constituting a network as one link. A link aggregation distribution logic optimization method used in a link aggregation circuit,
The link aggregation circuit includes a plurality of ports for the link aggregation, a discard counter that counts discarded packets, and a port counter that counts the flow rate of each of the plurality of ports,
The link aggregation circuit selects a distribution process that distributes inflow packets to the plurality of ports using a predetermined distribution logic, and inappropriate distribution logic is selected based on the contents of the discard counter and the port counter. And a control process for setting an appropriate distribution logic for the distribution process according to the detection result.

  That is, the link aggregation distribution logic optimization method of the present invention is a link aggregation [IEEE of Institute of Electrical and Electronic that enables high-speed packet communication by theoretically treating a plurality of links constituting a network as one link. (Engineerers) 802.3ad, IEEE802.3ad-2000, IEEE802.3-2002) Layer 2 (OSI (Open System Interconnection) network reference model data link layer) in a network device that handles MAC (Media Access Control): (Media access control) The distribution logic is automatically optimized and sent to each link aggregation port. It is characterized by distributing packets.

  More specifically, in the link aggregation distribution logic optimization method of the present invention, the control unit is inappropriate depending on the contents of the discard counter that counts discarded packets and the port counter that counts the flow rate of each link aggregation port. It is automatically detected that a distribution logic (protocol) has been selected, and an appropriate distribution logic is set in the distribution protocol processing unit according to the detection result. Thus, in the link aggregation distribution logic optimization method of the present invention, it is possible to return the processing from an inappropriate distribution logic to an appropriate distribution logic.

  Accordingly, in the link aggregation distribution logic optimization method of the present invention, an inappropriate distribution logic is selected and dynamically detected by the control unit according to the contents of the discard counter and the port counter, and a distribution protocol processing unit according to the detection result Therefore, it is possible to select a packet distribution logic corresponding to a change in the packet properties with the passage of time.

  Also, in the link aggregation distribution logic optimization method of the present invention, the threshold value is checked faster than the waiting time by looking at the value of the discard counter and the threshold value, so the process of selecting the optimal distribution logic is the value of the discard counter value. Compared with the case where the threshold value is not seen, it is possible to compare at high speed.

  In the link aggregation distribution logic optimization method of the present invention, any distribution logic can be applied because the distribution logic to be used is not limited in order to achieve the above effect. Therefore, in the link aggregation distribution logic optimization method of the present invention, it is possible to automatically select a distribution logic corresponding to a change in network properties.

  According to the present invention having the configuration and operation as described above, it is possible to automatically select a distribution logic corresponding to a change in network properties.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a ring aggregation circuit in a network device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a ring aggregation circuit 1 is a circuit of a network device that performs link aggregation, and includes a control unit 11, a protocol processing unit 12, a discard counter 13, a port counter 14, and a link aggregation port (hereinafter referred to as link aggregation port) that performs link aggregation. , And 15) to 15-n (n is a positive integer) and an input port 16.

  The control unit 11 has a function of setting an appropriate packet distribution logic (protocol) type in the distribution protocol processing unit 12 and a function of reading the contents of the discard counter 13 and the port counter 14.

  The distribution protocol processing unit 12 has a function of distributing a packet flowing in from the input port 16 to one of the ports 15-1 to 15-n by the packet distribution logic designated by the control unit 11.

  As distribution logic, generally, DA [Destination MAC (Media Access Control) address] distribution (distribution by DA), SA (Source MAC address) distribution (distribution by SA), DA + SA distribution (DA and SA) Distribution by exclusive OR).

  Simply distributing incoming packets to ports in order is not done because some packets are delayed or reversed by the route. Since the distribution logic itself is not directly related to the present invention, its detailed description is omitted.

  When a packet flows out to the ports 15-1 to 15-n when a packet flows in from the input port 16, the discard counter 13 cannot discard the packets that cannot be discharged to the ports 15-1 to 15-n. Has the function to count. When the flow rate of the input port 16 is larger than the total value of the flow rates of all the ports 15-1 to 15 -n and the packet cannot be distributed and is discarded, a specific packet is transferred to the port 15 by the distribution protocol processing unit 12. The disposal counter 13 is counted when it is sorted and discarded beyond the flow rate of -1 to 15-n.

  The port counter 14 has a function of counting the flow rates of the ports 15-1 to 15-n. Ports 15-1 to 15-n are ports that perform link aggregation.

  In a network apparatus that handles many link aggregations, a plurality of ports can be freely assigned to one link aggregation according to the designation of a maintenance person. That is, the ports 15-1 to 15-n can be increased or decreased by a maintenance person.

  In this embodiment, the control unit 11 is provided in the link aggregation circuit 1. However, an arbitrary distribution logic can be set in the distribution protocol processing unit 12, and the discard counter 13 and the port counter 14 are regularly monitored. If possible, it may be installed as an external device of the link aggregation circuit 1. Further, the port counter 14 may use band information with higher accuracy by a detailed counter generally known as RMON (Remote network MONITORING) [RFC (Request For Comments) 1757] or RMON2 (RFC2021).

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit 11 of FIG. A link aggregation distribution logic optimization method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The control unit 11 sets the initial value of the threshold value of the discard counter 13 of the ports 15-1 to 15-n and the evaluation value of the port counter 14 (step S1 in FIG. 2). Here, the threshold value of the discard counter 13 is c, and the counter value threshold value is θ. In the process of step S1, an initial distribution logic is set. When the sorting logic is alpha ₀ to? _M, the optimum protocol value alpha _max at present as alpha _0, the set value alpha is set to alpha _0. Furthermore, an initial unit time is set in the process of step S1. The unit time at this time is assumed to be t.

Subsequently, the control unit 11 waits for the unit time t (step S2 in FIG. 2). If the discard counter value c _n exceeds the threshold value c even within the unit time t, the control unit 11 transitions to the next step S3.

Next, the control part 11 confirms a threshold value (FIG. 2, step S3). When the discard counter value c _n within the unit time t exceeds the threshold value c in the confirmation of the threshold value, the control unit 11 performs the process of step S5.

In other cases, there are P _{0 to} P _m ports that perform link aggregation, and X _{0 to} X _m are the packet counts that passed within each unit time t, and X _p is the unit time t The variance value per unit is
σ = Σ (X _p −X _n ) ² / X _p
It is. When the current evaluation value θ _n (θ _n = β * σ), which is a value obtained by multiplying the coefficient β (0 <β), is θ ≦ θ _n , the control unit 11 transitions to the process of step S5, and otherwise Then, the process proceeds to step S4.

Since the discard counter value c _n does not exceed the threshold c and is a transition lower than the evaluation value θ, the control unit 11 sets the unit time t shorter, sets the value of the coefficient β larger, The threshold value c is set smaller (step S4 in FIG. 2). When the updated unit time is t _new , the coefficient β is β _new , and the discard count value c is c _new ,
_{t new ← t-e 00 (} 0 <e 00 << t)
β _new ← β−e ₀₁ (0 <e ₀₁ << β)
c _new ← c−e ₀₂ (0 <e ₁₀₁ << c)
And set. However, t _new , β _new , and c _new all have a lower limit value, and when a value smaller than the lower limit value is set, it is replaced with the lower limit value.

The control unit 11 confirms the optimum distribution logic (step S5 in FIG. 2). The control unit 11 is a drop counter value c _n is c _n <c, and optimal distribution when exceeding the drop counter value of logical alpha _max, the optimum allocation logic alpha _max current distribution logic alpha _n.

In addition, the control unit 11 determines that the current counter time c _n is c ≦ c _n and the current stay time of the process of step S2 is longer than the stay time of the process of step S2 of the optimum distribution logic α _max. the sorting logic α _n and the optimal allocation logic α _max.

Further, the control unit 11 selects the next distribution logic in step S5. When the current distribution logic is α _n , α _{n + 1} is set as the next optimal distribution logic α _max .

When the current distribution logic α _n does not exceed the last distribution logic α _m (step S6 in FIG. 2), the control unit 11 makes a transition to the process of step S2, and otherwise (step S6 in FIG. 2) Transition to processing.

The control unit 11 selects the optimum distribution logic α _max set in the process of step S5 and sets it as the current distribution logic α _n (step S7 in FIG. 2). Thereafter, the control unit 11 sets the unit time t to be larger, sets the value of the coefficient β to be smaller, and sets the discard count threshold c to be larger (step S8 in FIG. 2).

When the updated unit time t is t _new , the coefficient β is β _new , and the discard count value c is c _new ,
t _new ← t + e ₁₀ (0 <e ₀₀ <e ₁₀ << t)
β _new ← β + e ₁₁ (0 <e ₀₁ <e ₁₁ << β)
c _new ← c + e ₁₂ (0 <e ₁₀₁ <e ₁₂ << c)
And set. However, t _new , β _new , and c _new each have an upper limit value, and when a value larger than the upper limit value is set, it is replaced with the upper limit value.

  Thus, in this embodiment, an inappropriate distribution logic is selected depending on the contents of the discard counter 13 that counts discarded packets and the port counter 14 that counts the flow rates of the ports 15-1 to 15-n. Since an appropriate distribution logic is set in the distribution protocol processing unit 12 in accordance with the detection result, it is possible to select a distribution logic corresponding to a change in packet properties over time. it can.

  In the present embodiment, the process of step S3 is performed faster than the waiting time by looking at the value of the discard counter 13 and the threshold value in the above step S2, so that the process of selecting the optimum distribution logic is the value of the discard counter 13 Compared to the case where the threshold value is not seen, the comparison can be made at high speed.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the distribution logic to be used is not limited in order to exert the above-described effect, so that any distribution logic can be applied.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the ring aggregation circuit in the network device by one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control part of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Ring aggregation circuit
11 Control unit
12 Protocol processing part
13 Discard counter
14 port counter 15-1 to 15-n link aggregation port
16 input ports

Claims (11)

A link aggregation circuit that handles layer 2 using link aggregation that enables high-speed packet communication by theoretically treating a plurality of links constituting a network as one link,
A plurality of ports for link aggregation, control means for automatically optimizing MAC (Media Access Control) distribution logic, and distribution processing for distributing incoming packets to the plurality of ports by the optimized MAC distribution logic And a link aggregation circuit. A discard counter that counts discarded packets, and a port counter that counts the flow rate of each of the plurality of ports,
2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit optimizes a MAC distribution logic based on contents of the discard counter and the port counter, and sets the optimized MAC distribution logic in the distribution processing unit. Link aggregation circuit.   The control means compares the value of the discard counter with a preset threshold value and confirms the threshold faster than a waiting time of a predetermined time interval for setting the optimized MAC distribution logic in the distribution processing means. 3. The link aggregation circuit according to claim 2, wherein processing is performed.   The said control means selects the optimal MAC distribution logic from the some MAC distribution logic currently hold | maintained beforehand based on the content of each of the said discard counter and the said port counter. The link aggregation circuit described. A link aggregation circuit that handles layer 2 using link aggregation that enables high-speed packet communication by theoretically treating a plurality of links constituting a network as one link,
A plurality of ports for link aggregation, a discard counter that counts discarded packets, a port counter that counts the flow rate of each of the plurality of ports, and flows into the plurality of ports by a preset distribution logic A distribution processing means for distributing packets, and detecting that an inappropriate distribution logic is selected based on the contents of each of the discard counter and the port counter, and an appropriate distribution logic for the distribution processing means according to the detection result And a control means for setting the link aggregation circuit.   A network apparatus comprising the link aggregation circuit according to claim 1. A link aggregation distribution logic optimization method used in a link aggregation circuit that handles layer 2 that uses link aggregation that enables high-speed packet communication by theoretically treating a plurality of links constituting a network as one link. ,
The link aggregation circuit automatically optimizes MAC (Media Access Control) distribution logic, and distributes inflow packets to the plurality of ports for link aggregation using the optimized MAC distribution logic. A link aggregation distribution logic optimization method characterized by executing processing. The link aggregation circuit is provided with a discard counter that counts discarded packets, and a port counter that counts the flow rate of each of the plurality of ports,
In the control process, the link aggregation circuit optimizes a MAC distribution logic based on contents of the discard counter and the port counter, and sets the optimized MAC distribution logic in the distribution process. The link aggregation distribution logic optimization method according to claim 7.   In the control process, the link aggregation circuit compares the value of the discard counter with a preset threshold value and sets the optimized MAC distribution logic in the distribution process based on a waiting time of a predetermined time interval. 9. The link aggregation distribution logic optimization method according to claim 8, wherein the threshold value confirmation process is performed quickly.   The link aggregation circuit, in the control process, selects an optimum MAC distribution logic from a plurality of MAC distribution logics held in advance based on contents of the discard counter and the port counter. Item 10. The link aggregation distribution logic optimization method according to item 8 or claim 9. A link aggregation distribution logic optimization method used in a link aggregation circuit that handles layer 2 that uses link aggregation that enables high-speed packet communication by theoretically treating a plurality of links constituting a network as one link. ,
The link aggregation circuit includes a plurality of ports for the link aggregation, a discard counter that counts discarded packets, and a port counter that counts the flow rate of each of the plurality of ports,
The link aggregation circuit selects a distribution process that distributes inflow packets to the plurality of ports using a predetermined distribution logic, and inappropriate distribution logic is selected based on the contents of the discard counter and the port counter. And a control process for setting a distribution logic suitable for the distribution process in accordance with the detection result.

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