Directed route load/store packets for distributed switch initialization

摘要

Techniques are described for transmitting a packet from a source switch module to a destination switch module. Embodiments include determining, at the destination switch module, a path from the source switch module to the destination switch module. Path information specifying the determined path from the source switch module to the destination switch module is transmitted from the destination switch module to the source switch module. Additionally, embodiments include receiving, at the destination switch module, from the source switch module, a packet that includes (i) at least a portion of the path information and (ii) payload data to be processed at the destination switch module, wherein the packet was routed using the at least a portion of the path information. The payload data within the received packet is processing by the destination switch module.

主权项

1. A method of transmitting a packet from a source switch module to a destination switch module, comprising:
transmitting, from the destination switch module to the source switch module, an ordered listing of Ethernet link identifiers representing a path from the source switch module to the destination switch module; receiving, at the destination switch module, from the source switch module, a packet that includes (i) the ordered listing of Ethernet link identifiers, (ii) a second ordered listing of Ethernet link identifiers, specifying a return path for transmitting data packets from the destination switch module to the source switch module, and (iii) a set of load/store operations to be executed by the destination switch module, wherein the packet was routed from the source switch module to the destination switch module using the ordered listing of Ethernet link identifiers, and wherein an intermediary switch module along the path from the source switch module to the destination switch module modified the packet by inserting an Ethernet link identifier into the second portion of the packet, the Ethernet link identifier corresponding to a determined incoming Ethernet port on which the intermediary switch module received the packet; processing, by the destination switch module, the set of load/store operations within the received packet by copying the set of load/store operations into an execution buffer for automatic execution; and once the set of load/store operations are executed, transmitting, from the destination switch module, to the source switch module, a response packet that includes (i) the second ordered listing of Ethernet link identifiers specifying the return path from the destination switch module to the source switch module and (ii) payload data to be processed at the source switch module.