Forward Caching for Diskless Data Processing Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Diskless data processing devices experience increased latency when retrieving data from remote storage due to the lack of local non-volatile storage, necessitating a method to reduce this latency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a forward caching system that stores and updates software images at an intermediate network point, allowing diskless data processing devices to access cached image instances with lower latency by copying updated software images from a backend server to this point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If data is stored on remote storage device for diskless data processing devices, then device management is simplified, but data retrieval latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by caching software images at intermediate network points before they are needed by diskless devices. The tracking module detects updates and the storage module proactively copies updated images to intermediate network points, ensuring data is ready in advance at closer locations, thereby reducing retrieval latency while maintaining centralized management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate network points as intermediaries between the backend server and diskless data processing devices. These intermediaries cache software images and serve as closer data sources for the devices, reducing the effective distance for data retrieval while still allowing centralized management through the backend server.
2Extent of automation
If software images are updated on remote storage device, then system can be updated centrally, but update propagation to all devices increases time
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking module detects software image updates on the backend server and the storage module proactively copies the updated images to intermediate network points before the diskless devices need them. This preliminary action ensures that when devices access the updated images, they receive them quickly from the cached intermediate location rather than waiting for propagation through the entire network.
Solution Approach 2:
Intermediate network points act as intermediaries that receive and cache updated software images from the backend server. This intermediary caching mechanism accelerates update propagation by creating local copies at strategic network locations, reducing the time for updates to reach all diskless devices while maintaining centralized control through the backend server.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus, and system are disclosed of forward caching for a managed client. A storage module stores a software image on a storage device of a backend server. The backend server provides virtual disk storage on the storage device through a first intermediate network point for a plurality of diskless data processing devices. Each diskless data processing device communicates directly with the first intermediate network point. The storage module caches an image instance of the software image at the first intermediate network point. A tracking module detects an update to the software image on the storage device. The storage module copies the updated software image to the first intermediate network point as an updated image instance.