US 2013/0294772 A1 · MULTI-NODE SYSTEM NETWORKS WITH OPTICAL SWITCHES

Abstract

A system and method for optical switching of networks in a multi-node computing system with programmable magneto-optical switches that enable optical signal routing on optical pathways. The system includes a network of optical links interconnecting nodes with switching elements that are controlled by electrical control signals. Data transmission is along the optical links and an optical pathway is determined by the electrical control signals which are launched ahead of optical signal. If links are available, an optical pathway is reserved, and the electrical signal sets the necessary optical switches for the particular optical pathway. There is thereby eliminated the need for optical-electrical-optical conversion at each node in order to route data packets through the network. If a link or optical pathway is not available the system tries to find an alternative path. If no alternative path is available, the system reserves buffering. After transmission, all reservations are released.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A method of communicating optical signals in a network having multiple computing nodes comprising:

forming, using electrical signals, an optical path from a sender node to a destination node in said network, said sender node having a data packet for communication as an optical signal along said optical path to said destination node;
and
launching, from said sender node, an optical signal having data packet, over said optical path, to said destination node,
wherein a need for packet buffering of data from said optical signal is eliminated at computing nodes forming said optical path.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Multi-node system networks with optical switches

Life of this patent

Multi-node system networks with optical switches

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11