Multi-Tenant Accelerator Page-Fault Handling with Batched Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-tenant scalable accelerators face inefficiencies in handling page faults, leading to performance bottlenecks and resource management challenges.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for high-performance page-fault handling in multi-tenant scalable accelerators, utilizing fault processing logic and batch processing mechanisms to optimize resource allocation and improve fault recovery efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional page-fault handling is used in multi-tenant accelerators, then system simplicity is maintained, but performance bottlenecks occur due to inefficient fault processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments page-fault handling into distinct components: fault detection logic in execution units, fault notification mechanisms to clients, and batch processing logic. This segmentation allows parallel fault handling across multiple tenants while maintaining manageable complexity in each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary notification mechanism where the accelerator notifies clients of page faults through structured event logs and completion records, rather than directly blocking execution. This intermediary layer decouples the fault handling complexity from the core execution path, improving performance while managing complexity.
2Productivity
If page faults are handled by blocking execution until resolution, then resource allocation is simplified, but productivity decreases due to execution stalls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary notification where clients are alerted of impending page faults through event logs before execution is blocked. This allows clients to prepare resolution actions in advance, reducing the actual execution stall time while maintaining resource allocation simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous processing by allowing non-faulting work items to continue execution while fault handling is processed asynchronously. The batch processing mechanism maintains continuous useful action across multiple tenants, preventing complete execution stalls while managing fault resolution time.
3Reliability
If individual page-fault handling is implemented for each tenant, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to multi-tenant management overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universal fault handling mechanisms that serve multiple tenants through common infrastructure: shared event log structures, standardized completion records, and unified batch processing logic. This multi-functionality approach maintains reliability for each tenant while reducing overall device complexity through shared components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges individual tenant fault handling into batched processing groups, where multiple fault notifications are combined and processed together. This merging reduces the overhead of managing individual tenant faults separately while maintaining the reliability of per-tenant fault detection and notification through the unified batch mechanism.
4Productivity
If batch processing is used for page faults, then productivity is improved through parallel handling, but device complexity increases due to batch management overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic batch processing where the batch size and processing timing are adjusted based on system state and fault characteristics. This dynamic approach allows parallel handling of multiple faults to improve productivity while managing complexity through adaptive control rather than fixed complex batch management logic.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and method for high-performance page fault handling. For example, one embodiment of an apparatus comprises: one or more accelerator engines to process work descriptors submitted by clients to a plurality of work queues; fault processing hardware logic associated with the one or more accelerator engines, the fault processing hardware logic to implement a specified page fault handling mode for each work queue of the plurality of work queues, the page fault handling modes including a first page fault handling mode and a second page fault handling mode.