DMA Control Protocol Language Merging Data and Control Messages

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current Direct Memory Access (DMA) methods between host computers and Network Interface Cards (NICs) lack scalability and efficient message passing protocols, leading to inefficiencies in data transfer and management of TCP/IP offload operations.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a scalable DMA mechanism combined with a message passing control protocol (CPL) that overlays on the DMA transfer, enabling efficient data transfer and management of TCP/IP operations by relieving the host CPU of processing overhead and allowing for ordered end-to-end control messages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If separate channels are used for control messages and data messages, then control and data transfer can occur independently, but the system complexity increases and resource utilization decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer efficiencyVSAvoidchannel structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines control messages and data messages into a single communication channel. Control messages are encapsulated within data messages using a protocol language, allowing both control and data to be transmitted together over the same DMA channel, thereby reducing channel complexity while maintaining functional independence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The communication channel is designed to handle both control and data messages universally. The protocol language enables the same channel to carry different types of messages (control and data) by using message type identification and encapsulation, making the channel multi-functional without requiring separate dedicated channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If the host CPU handles all processing associated with I/O operations, then control and management are centralized, but the CPU processing overhead increases and scalability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecentralized controlVSAvoidCPU processing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The I/O device is empowered to independently process and manage its own data transfers using DMA (Direct Memory Access). The device can autonomously handle data movement between host memory and external devices without requiring continuous CPU intervention, thereby reducing CPU overhead while maintaining centralized control through protocol-based management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

A protocol language acts as an intermediary between the host CPU and the I/O device. This protocol enables the CPU to issue high-level commands that are then processed autonomously by the I/O device, reducing the need for detailed CPU involvement in each data transfer operation while maintaining centralized control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If control messages are sent separately from data messages, then message routing is simplified, but end-to-end ordering cannot be guaranteed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemessage routingVSAvoidmessage ordering

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Control messages and data messages are merged into a single channel transmission. By encapsulating control messages within the same data stream, the system ensures that control and data messages maintain their relative ordering, as they are processed sequentially from the same channel rather than being interleaved from separate channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of manufacture

If DMA is implemented without a structured protocol language, then implementation is simpler, but message passing and control become inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidmessage passing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The message structure is segmented into distinct components using the protocol language, including message type identification, payload data, and control fields. This segmentation allows the DMA system to efficiently process different message types while maintaining a relatively simple implementation framework based on standardized message formats.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS7945705B1Method for using a protocol language to avoid separate channels for control messages involving encapsulated payload data messages

Publication Date: 2011.05.17 SPEEDNIC LLC

AI summary

An interface device is associated with a local device. The interface device is configured to process payload data messages among the local device and peer devices. The payload data messages encapsulated according to a particular protocol. In at least one of the local device and the interface device, configuration messages are generated. The configuration messages are communicated among the local device and the interface device, the configuration messages associated with configuring the operation of the local device and the interface device with respect to the payload data messages.