Abstract: An interconnect module (ICM) having at least two internal data paths is provided. The ICM determines if a connected network interface card (NIC) supports a division of work between the NIC and the ICM. NICs may be standard NICs, advanced NICs (ANICs), or smart NICs (SNICs). The ICM may perform a different amount of processing for network packets received from different devices based on the division of work previously identified. Some NICs may preprocess network packets with respect to switching and routing processing to allow the ICM to bypass that functionality for those packets. Packets received from devices not providing a division of work receive full processing including switching and routing processing. Devices may be grouped to either a switching and routing group or a virtual bypass group such that data received from devices associated with the virtual bypass group may bypass selected processing typically performed by the ICM.

Abstract: A smart network interface card (SNIC) is provided. The SNIC may connect to an interconnect module (ICM) having at least two internal data paths. The SNIC and ICM determine a division of work between them. In general, NICs may be standard NICs, advanced NICs (ANICs), or smart NICs (SNICs). The ICM may perform a different amount of processing for network packets received from different devices based on the division of work previously identified. Some SNICs may preprocess network packets with respect to switching and routing processing to allow the ICM to bypass that functionality. Packets received from devices providing a division of work (e.g., SNICs) may receive reduced processing for functions offloaded to the SNIC. SNICs may utilize either a switching and routing group or a virtual bypass group such that data may bypass selected processing typically performed by the ICM.

Abstract: Example approaches for processing task deployment in adapter devices and accelerators, are described. In an example, a service request is received by an adapter device. The service request is indicative of a service associated with a virtual multi-layer network switch. An accelerator may be integrated to the adapter device or coupled to the adapter device. A set of processing tasks associated with the service is identified based on the service request. A processing task instance corresponding to at least one of the set of processing tasks is deployed in one of the adapter device and the accelerator, based on predefined configuration information. The predefined configuration information includes policies for executing each of the set processing tasks in one of the adapter device and the accelerator.

Abstract: In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, a system for auto-negotiation over extended backplane includes an enclosure and a switch external to the enclosure. The enclosure has a NIC (network interface controller) for a server in the enclosure and a DEM (downlink extension module). The DEM has a single DEM PHY connected to the NIC via a backplane and also connected to the switch via an external connection. The DEM PHY facilitates auto-negotiation between the switch and the NIC.

Abstract: Example approaches for processing task deployment in adapter devices and accelerators, are described. In an example, a service request is received by an adapter device. The service request is indicative of a service associated with a virtual multi-layer network switch. An accelerator may be integrated to the adapter device or coupled to the adapter device. A set of processing tasks associated with the service is identified based on the service request. A processing task instance corresponding to at least one of the set of processing tasks is deployed in one of the adapter device and the accelerator, based on predefined configuration information. The predefined configuration information includes policies for executing each of the set processing tasks in one of the adapter device and the accelerator.

Abstract: Example techniques of network infrastructure management are described. In an example, a network statistics request is received by a network device from a computing device. The network statistics request indicates at least one of a node and a data path, in a layer of a network stack in a network infrastructure, for which a network statistics attribute is to be determined. The network statistics attribute is representative of information associated with one of data packets transceived by the node and data packets transferred over the data path. The network statistics attribute is determined based on the value of a counter associated with the network statistics attribute of one of the node and the data path. The determined network statistics attribute is provided to the computing device.

Abstract: A smart network interface card (SNIC) is provided. The SNIC may connect to an interconnect module (ICM) having at least two internal data paths. The SNIC and ICM determine a division of work between them. In general, NICs may be standard NICs, advanced NICs (ANICs), or smart NICs (SNICs). The ICM may perform a different amount of processing for network packets received from different devices based on the division of work previously identified. Some SNICs may preprocess network packets with respect to switching and routing processing to allow the ICM to bypass that functionality. Packets received from devices providing a division of work (e.g., SNICs) may receive reduced processing for functions offloaded to the SNIC. SNICs may utilize either a switching and routing group or a virtual bypass group such that data may bypass selected processing typically performed by the ICM.

Abstract: An interconnect module (ICM) having at least two internal data paths is provided. The ICM determines if a connected network interface card (NIC) supports a division of work between the NIC and the ICM. NICs may be standard NICs, advanced NICs (ANICs), or smart NICs (SNICs). The ICM may perform a different amount of processing for network packets received from different devices based on the division of work previously identified. Some NICs may preprocess network packets with respect to switching and routing processing to allow the ICM to bypass that functionality for those packets. Packets received from devices not providing a division of work receive full processing including switching and routing processing. Devices may be grouped to either a switching and routing group or a virtual bypass group such that data received from devices associated with the virtual bypass group may bypass selected processing typically performed by the ICM.

Abstract: A method may include generating a plurality of rules corresponding to respective flows associated with a computing network. The method can further include determining, based on application of flow rules, whether data corresponding to the respective flows is to be stored by a switching sub-system of the network. In some examples, the method can include taking an action using the switching sub-system in response to the determination.

Abstract: In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, a system for auto-negotiation over extended backplane includes an enclosure and a switch external to the enclosure. The enclosure has a NIC (network interface controller) for a server in the enclosure and a DEM (downlink extension module). The DEM has a single DEM PHY connected to the NIC via a backplane and also connected to the switch via an external connection. The DEM PHY facilitates auto-negotiation between the switch and the NIC.

Abstract: Example techniques of network infrastructure management are described. In an example, a network statistics request is received by a network device from a computing device. The network statistics request indicates at least one of a node and a data path, in a layer of a network stack in a network infrastructure, for which a network statistics attribute is to be determined. The network statistics attribute is representative of information associated with one of data packets transceived by the node and data packets transferred over the data path. The network statistics attribute is determined based on the value of a counter associated with the network statistics attribute of one of the node and the data path. The determined network statistics attribute is provided to the computing device.

Abstract: In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, a system for auto-negotiation over extended backplane includes an enclosure and a switch external to the enclosure. The enclosure has a NIC (network interface controller) for a server in the enclosure and a DEM (downlink extension module). The DEM has a single DEM PHY connected to the NIC via a backplane and also connected to the switch via an external connection. The DEM PHY facilitates auto-negotiation between the switch and the NIC.

Abstract: An example system in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure includes a logical switch and a controller to dynamically instantiate the logical switch including a control plane isolated from other logical switches of the network switch system. The logical switch includes a protocol stack independent of and isolated from other logical switches of the network switch system.

Abstract: Some examples disclosed herein relate to traffic management via network switch QoS parameters analysis. In one example, a set of actual QoS parameters maybe analyzed using a set of configured QoS parameters of each network switch. A set of modified QoS parameters for each network switch maybe determined based on the analysis of the set of actual QoS parameters. The set of modified QoS parameters maybe recommended to configure each network switch for improved traffic management.

Abstract: An example system in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure includes a logical switch and a controller to dynamically instantiate the logical switch including a control plane isolated from other logical switches of the network switch system. The logical switch includes a protocol stack independent of and isolated from other logical switches of the network switch system.

Abstract: In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, a system for auto-negotiation over extended backplane includes an enclosure and a switch external to the enclosure. The enclosure has a NIC (network interface controller) for a server in the enclosure and a DEM (downlink extension module). The DEM has a single DEM PHY connected to the NIC via a backplane and also connected to the switch via an external connection. The DEM PHY facilitates auto-negotiation between the switch and the NIC.

Abstract: Some examples disclosed herein relate to traffic management via network switch QoS parameters analysis. In one example, a set of actual QoS parameters maybe analyzed using a set of configured QoS parameters of each network switch. A set of modified QoS parameters for each network switch maybe determined based on the analysis of the set of actual QoS parameters. The set of modified QoS parameters maybe recommended to configure each network switch for improved traffic management.

Abstract: A technique includes network booting a physical machine coupled to a network by a link aggregation group. The technique includes selectively disabling ports of the physical machine associated with the link aggregation group in connection with the network booting until a driver of an operating system to group the ports together is installed on the physical machine.

Abstract: A technique includes network booting a physical machine coupled to a network by a link aggregation group. The technique includes selectively disabling ports of the physical machine associated with the link aggregation group in connection with the network booting until a driver of an operating system to group the ports together is installed on the physical machine.