Cut-through Socket Layer Bypasses TCP Stack for Local Data Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data transfer methods between multiple operating system images are inefficient due to the need for data copies and packetization, especially when sharing a network or file system offload stack, which can lead to underutilization of CPU power in high-performance servers.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a cut-through socket layer as part of a common offload stack that allows direct data transfer between source and destination memory pages, bypassing the TCP stack and packetization, by remapping memory pages and changing ownership when both endpoints reside on the same hardware, thereby optimizing data transfers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional TCP stack and packetization are used for data transfer between operating systems, then data transfer reliability is ensured, but data transfer latency increases and CPU utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the TCP stack and packetization layers from the data transfer path when both endpoints reside on the same hardware. By taking out these unnecessary intermediate layers, the system achieves direct memory-to-memory data transfer, eliminating the latency associated with packetization and reassembly while maintaining reliability through direct memory mapping and ownership transfer mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cut-through socket layer as an intermediary mechanism that enables direct data transfer between operating systems without requiring full TCP stack processing. This intermediary layer handles the memory mapping and ownership transfer, allowing data to bypass the traditional TCP packetization path while ensuring reliable transfer through controlled memory access and ownership management
2Adaptability or versatility
If data copies and packetization are performed through the TCP stack, then data transfer compatibility is maintained, but CPU power utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the TCP stack and packetization functions from the data transfer path for local communications. By removing these unnecessary processing steps, the system maintains compatibility through the cut-through socket interface while dramatically reducing CPU processing requirements, allowing the same hardware to serve multiple operating systems without consuming excessive CPU power for data transfer operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of data transfer by switching from packet-based TCP protocols to direct memory mapping. This parameter change transforms the data transfer mechanism from multiple small packets requiring processing to large blocks of data transferred directly through memory pages, maintaining compatibility while optimizing CPU utilization
3Reliability
If full TCP stack processing is performed for all data transfers, then network protocol compliance is ensured, but data transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by treating different data transfer scenarios differently. When both endpoints reside on the same hardware, the system uses direct memory mapping without full TCP processing. When endpoints are on different hardware, the traditional TCP stack is used. This localized optimization maintains protocol compliance where needed while maximizing efficiency where possible
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system to exchange information between computer applications are provided. The system may include a source operating system, a destination operating system and an offload stack, all residing on the device. The source operating system and the destination operating system appear to users as distinct network entities. The offload stack may be configured to function as an intermediate network device for the source operating system. The offload stack, in one embodiment, comprises a back end to receive a message from the source operating system to the destination operating system, an analyzer to determine that the destination operating system resides on the device and a cut though socket module to process the message such that a network layer of the offload stack is bypassed.