Load balancing hash computation for network switches

摘要

Techniques to avoid polarization in a communication network include a network switch or device having a first interface to receive a data unit or packet, and a second interface via which the packet is transmitted from the network device. The network device includes a hash value generator configured to generate, using a depolarizer, a depolarized key from an initial key (where the initial key is based on contents of the packet and the depolarizer is unique to the network device), and to generate a hash value based on the depolarized key and the packet by using a hash function that is common to all network devices in the network. The hash value may be optionally modified to load balance egress traffic of the network device. The network device selects an egress link or port, such as by determining an index into an egress table based on the (modified) hash value.

主权项

1. A method for avoiding polarization in a communication network, the method comprising:
receiving a data unit at a network device included in the communication network; determining, by a hash value generator included in the network device, an initial key based on information included in the data unit; generating, by the hash value generator, a depolarized initial key based on the initial key by using a depolarizer that is unique, within the communication network, to the network device; performing, by the hash value generator, a hash function on the depolarized initial key to obtain a hash value for the data unit; determining, by the network device and based on the hash value, an egress interface for forwarding the data unit; and causing the data unit to egress from the network device via the egress interface.