Producing deadlock-free routes in lossless cartesian topologies with minimal number of virtual lanes

Abstract

An apparatus includes a network interface and a processor. The network interface communicates with a network including switches interconnected in a Cartesian topology having multiple dimensions. The processor predefines turn types of turns in the Cartesian topology, each turn traverses first and second hops along first and second dimensions having same or different respective identities, and each turn type is defined at least by identities of the first and second dimensions. The processor searches for a preferred route from a source switch to a destination switch, by evaluating candidate routes based on the number of VLs required for preventing a deadlock condition caused by the candidate route. The number of VLs required depends on a sequential pattern of turn types formed by the candidate route. The processor configures one or more switches in the network to route packets from the source switch to the destination switch along the preferred route.