I/O Log Base Address Relocation Without Pausing Activity

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for moving or resizing I/O logs in computing systems without pausing I/O activity risk creating log entries at incorrect memory locations, leading to performance degradation or system failure.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method that allows I/O logs to be moved or resized without pausing I/O activity by setting a new base address and resetting head and tail pointers to indicate an empty log, enabling seamless transition to a new circular buffer without interrupting I/O operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If I/O activity is paused to move or resize a log, then log entries are created in correct memory locations, but system performance degrades and system failure may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelog entry memory location accuracyVSAvoidsystem performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by resetting the head and tail pointers to indicate an empty log before changing the base address. This preparatory step ensures that when the base address changes, no log entries are accidentally created at incorrect memory locations, thus maintaining precision without requiring I/O activity to be paused.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If I/O activity is not paused when moving or resizing a log, then system performance is maintained, but log entries may be created at incorrect memory locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem performanceVSAvoidlog entry memory location accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by resetting the head and tail pointers to indicate an empty log before changing the base address. This preparatory step ensures that when the base address changes, no log entries are accidentally created at incorrect memory locations, thus maintaining precision without requiring I/O activity to be paused.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the log is moved to a new base address without resetting pointers, then I/O activity continues uninterrupted, but the log structure becomes inconsistent

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveI/O activity continuityVSAvoidlog structure consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by resetting the head and tail pointers to indicate an empty log before changing the base address. This preparatory step ensures that when the base address changes, no log entries are accidentally created at incorrect memory locations, thus maintaining precision without requiring I/O activity to be paused.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9286248B2Methods and systems for moving and resizing I/O activity logs

Publication Date: 2016.03.15 ADVANCED MICRO DEVICES INC

AI summary

A method of managing peripherals is performed in a device coupled to a processor in a computer system. For example, the method is performed in an input/output memory management unit (IOMMU) or a peripheral. The method includes recording information associated with I/O activity for one or more peripherals in a log that has a first base address. The method also includes, without pausing the I/O activity, specifying a second base address for the log and setting a head pointer and a tail pointer for the log to indicate that the log is empty. The second base address is distinct from the first base address.