"Slow-Start" Problem in Data Center Networks and a Potential Solution

摘要

Systems and methods are provided for a multicast based solution to solving the slow-start problem that ensures both optimal (1-hop) and in-sequence delivery of packets to the destination. Packets are hardware switched thereby completely eliminating the slow software switching path.

主权项

1. A method for eliminating slow switching paths comprising:
installing one or more subnet prefixes pointing to a multicast set at one or more remote switches within a first subnet; sending a first packet to all remote switches in the multicast set; forwarding the first packet from a first remote switch in the multicast set only in the case of a local destination IP hit at a FIB table associated with a second remote switch; dropping the first packet at the second remote switch in the multicast set after a miss at a FIB table associated with the second remote switch; and dropping the first packet at a third remote switch in the multicast set after a hit at a FIB table associated with the third remote switch, wherein the hit is for a non-local destination.