Amazon patents network switch that reroutes data without restarting
Amazon describes a network device that can change how data moves through its hardware layers in real time. It allows the device to switch between different routing modes and reassign input to output ports without needing a restart.
In the filing’s own words
A network device is described that offers advanced traffic management and failure handling mechanisms to address AI/ML networking challenges. The network device includes an adaptive rail mapping that allows GPUs on different server computers in different parts of a network to communicate efficiently. Additionally, such communication between the GPUs is not disrupted in the face of failures. In one embodiment, the network device includes multiple forwarding modes wherein network traffic can proceed through different permutations of layers 1, 2, and 3 hardware. For example, the network device can dynamically change which layers of hardware that network packets travel through. Additionally, the network device can change a layer 1 mapping such that an input-port-to-output-port mapping can be reconfigured dynamically (without restarting the network device). Accordingly, the network device can route network traffic based upon a forwarding mode, which represents a desired data flow through the network fabric, and real-time network connectivity.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A method of forwarding traffic through a network device, the method comprising: in a network device having hardware layers including a layer 1 hardware, a layer 2 hardware, and a layer 3 hardware, dynamically switching among modes that change through which of the hardware layers network traffic flows; assigning, when operating in a layer 1 mode that uses the layer 1 hardware, input ports to output ports, wherein the network traffic bypasses the layer 2 hardware and the layer 3 hardware; receiving an indication for changing the assignment of the input ports to the output ports; and in response to the indication, dynamically modifying the assignment of the input ports to the output ports through the layer 1 hardware.
Facts
- Company
- Amazon (Amazon Technologies, Inc.)
- Official title
- NETWORK DEVICE WITH ADAPTABLE FORWARDING BEHAVIOR
- Publication number
- US20260303515A1
- Application number
- 19095429
- Filed
- Mar 31, 2025
- Published
- Oct 1, 2026
- Inventors
- 7
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
H04L 45/22 Electricity & electronicsH04L 45/28 Electricity & electronicsMore from Amazon in Networks & wireless
- Amazon patents indoor map building using Wi-Fi signals Sep 29, 2026
- Amazon patents Wi-Fi backup that uses your phone when router dies Oct 6, 2026
- Amazon patents tool to check if cloud networks match their design plans Sep 8, 2026
- Amazon patents system to switch radio frequencies as portable units move Sep 15, 2026
- Amazon patents letting phones use Wi-Fi via cellular network credentials Oct 13, 2026
Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.