Virtual destination identification for rapidio network elements

摘要

A method of dynamically redirecting traffic in a RapidIO network, which includes a host processor, a plurality of endpoints, and a plurality of switches. The method comprises assigning a “virtual” destination ID (VDID) to each endpoint, after each endpoint has already been provided with an original Destination ID and an original path has been mapped for each pair of endpoints in accordance with the RapidIO protocol, i.e. the routing tables in appropriate switches have been populated with output instructions for packets with specific Destination IDs. Accordingly, one or more redundant routing paths can be programmed into the routing tables of appropriate switches between each pair of endpoints, different than the original path therebetween. The switches can therefore steer the packets with VDIDs along redundant routing paths, to avoid damaged links, access isolated switches and/or perform loopback transmissions without having the switches routing tables reprogrammed.

主权项

1. A method of establishing additional routing paths in a RapidIO network, which comprises a plurality of processing elements including a host processor, a plurality of endpoints, and a plurality of switches, an original path having been mapped for each pair of endpoints in accordance with the RapidIO protocol, and each endpoint including an original Destination ID stored in a base ID register, the method comprising:
a) assigning a virtual destination ID (VDID) to selected processing elements, and storing the VDID in a register other than the base ID register or setting the selected processing elements to accept all packets; b) generating an additional routing path, through processing elements and links already in operation, between each pair of selected processing elements, different than the original path therebetween, but to the same endpoint; c) adding routing table entries to the plurality of switches for the VDIDs for steering packets with VDIDs along the additional routing paths; d) storing the VDIDs in the host processor; and e) dynamically, and in real time, switching the transmission of signal packets from the original path to the additional routing path between two endpoints using the VDIDs corresponding to the additional routing path in the signal packets when the original path has degraded in performance below a predetermined threshold.