Communication Interface Host-to-Host Memory Sharing Translation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional multiprocessor data processing systems face challenges in cost-effectively sharing system memory across multiple systems, as dedicated hardware solutions are costly and do not scale well with increasing enterprise sizes, limiting the efficiency of memory sharing.

Innovation Solution

A communication interface that translates host commands from one command set to another, enabling memory access requests across systems, allowing for host-to-host memory sharing through existing communication interfaces without the need for costly dedicated hardware, by pinning page table entries and using a command and response translation layer to emulate attached functional units or memories.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If dedicated hardware is used to support memory sharing between data processing systems, then memory sharing capability is improved, but system cost and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory sharing capabilityVSAvoidhardware complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication interface is configured to operate in multiple modes: a first mode for traditional attached functional unit communication and a second mode for host-to-host memory sharing. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware interface to support memory sharing without requiring dedicated hardware, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

A communication interface acts as an intermediary between host data processing systems, translating host commands from one command set into another command set that emulates attached functional unit communication. This intermediary approach enables memory sharing through existing interfaces rather than requiring new dedicated hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If dedicated hardware is used to support memory sharing between data processing systems, then memory sharing capability is improved, but scalability to larger enterprises deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory sharing capabilityVSAvoidscalability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By configuring existing communication interfaces to support both traditional AFU communication and host-to-host memory sharing through different operational modes, the system achieves scalability. The same interface infrastructure can serve growing enterprise needs without requiring proportional increases in dedicated hardware for each new memory sharing scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If existing communication interfaces are used for host-to-host memory sharing, then cost is reduced, but command set compatibility challenges arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware costVSAvoidcommand set compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The communication interface includes translation functionality that converts host commands from a first command set into a second command set that emulates attached functional unit communication protocols. This translation layer enables compatibility between different command sets while using existing communication interface hardware, resolving the compatibility challenge without requiring costly dedicated hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The communication interface changes its operational parameters by switching between different modes: in the first mode it handles traditional AFU commands, and in the second mode it translates and handles host-to-host memory sharing commands. This parameter change approach allows the same hardware to adapt to different command sets and communication requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11341060B2Multifunction communication interface supporting memory sharing among data processing systems

Publication Date: 2022.05.24 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

In a data processing environment, a communication interface of a second host data processing system receives, from a first host data processing system, a host command in a first command set. The host command specifies a memory access to a memory coupled to the second host data processing system. The communication interface translates the host command into a command in a different second command set emulating coupling of an attached functional unit to the communication interface. The communication interface presents the second command to a host bus protocol interface of the second host data processing system. Based on receipt of the second command, the host bus protocol interface initiates, on a system fabric of the second host data processing system, a host bus protocol memory access request specifying the memory access.