Data Transferring Apparatus Offloads Host CPU Processing Load

Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing speed of network storage systems, particularly in devices like VOD servers and Web servers, leads to a significant processing load on host CPUs due to the need for multiple memory copies during data transfer between storage apparatuses and network storage, resulting in increased costs and power consumption as a result of the requirement for upgraded CPUs and chipsets.

Innovation Solution

A data transferring apparatus that offloads data transfer processing from the host CPU by including a transmission data extracting unit and a communication processing unit, which handle data extraction and transmission to the network, reducing the load on the host CPU and main memory, and can be configured as hardware or software, preferably hardware for efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If data transfer is performed via main memory with multiple memory copies, then data transfer between storage apparatus and network storage is enabled, but processing load on host CPU increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer rateVSAvoidhost CPU processing load

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the data transfer processing function from the host CPU by introducing a dedicated data transferring apparatus. This apparatus includes a transmission data extracting unit that reads data directly from the storage apparatus and a communication processing unit that transmits data to the network, thereby removing the burden of multiple memory copies and protocol processing from the host CPU.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The data transferring apparatus serves as an intermediary component between the storage apparatus and the network storage. It includes a command issuing unit that receives commands from the host CPU, a transmission data extracting unit that retrieves data from storage, and a communication processing unit that handles network transmission, thus mediating the data transfer process without involving the host CPU in detailed operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If host CPU is upgraded to handle increased processing load, then data transfer processing capability is improved, but system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer processing capabilityVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the data transfer processing function from the host CPU by introducing a dedicated data transferring apparatus. This apparatus includes a transmission data extracting unit that reads data directly from the storage apparatus and a communication processing unit that transmits data to the network, thereby removing the burden of multiple memory copies and protocol processing from the host CPU.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The data transferring apparatus performs self-service by autonomously handling data extraction from storage, memory management, and network transmission without requiring host CPU intervention. The command issuing unit, transmission data extracting unit, and communication processing unit work independently to complete the entire data transfer process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple memory copies are performed during data transfer, then data can be processed through file system and application layers, but main memory load increases drastically

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefile system processing capabilityVSAvoidmain memory load

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the data transfer processing function from the host CPU by introducing a dedicated data transferring apparatus. This apparatus includes a transmission data extracting unit that reads data directly from the storage apparatus and a communication processing unit that transmits data to the network, thereby removing the burden of multiple memory copies and protocol processing from the host CPU.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the data transfer process into distinct functional units: a command issuing unit that receives commands, a transmission data extracting unit that retrieves data from storage, and a communication processing unit that handles network transmission. This segmentation allows each unit to operate independently, reducing the need for multiple memory copies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9544370B2Data transferring apparatus, data transmission system and data transmitting method

Publication Date: 2017.01.10 KK TOSHIBA

AI summary

There is provided a data transferring apparatus that transfers file data stored in a storage apparatus that manages data in a block unit, in which the first issuing unit, in response to a request from a CPU, generates and sends a reading command of metadata including first map information showing in which location first file data is stored, to the storage apparatus, the second issuing unit receives a reading command of the first file data from the CPU that has obtained the metadata, generates and sends a reading command of a block storing the first file data to the storage apparatus, the extracting unit receives block data read from the storage apparatus, receives the first map information from the CPU and, based on the first map information, extracts the first file data from the block data, and the communication processing unit transmits the first file data to the network.