Simplified packet routing

摘要

A method for communication, includes routing unicast data packets among nodes in a network using respective Layer-3 addresses that are uniquely assigned to each of the nodes. Respective Layer-2 unicast addresses are assigned to the nodes in accordance with an algorithmic mapping of the respective Layer-3 addresses. The unicast data packets are forwarded within subnets of the network using the assigned Layer-2 addresses.

主权项

1. A method for communication, comprising:
routing unicast data packets among nodes in a network using respective Layer-3 addresses that are uniquely assigned to each of the nodes; assigning respective Layer-2 unicast addresses to the nodes in accordance with an algorithmic mapping of the respective Layer-3 addresses, such that each Layer-2 unicast address assigned to a node is algorithmically derivable by applying an algorithmic mapping function to the respective Layer-3 address assigned to the node; and forwarding the unicast data packets within subnets of the network using the assigned Layer-2 addresses, by selecting respective ports through which the unicast data packets are to be transmitted by applying the algorithmic mapping function to the Layer-3 addresses in the packets, wherein the Layer-3 addresses each comprise a subnet prefix and a respective globally-unique identifier (GUID) in accordance with the Infiniband specification, and wherein assigning the respective Layer-2 unicast addresses comprises applying the algorithmic mapping function to the GUID to determine a local identifier (LID).