MAC Service Module for NIC Aggregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network systems with multiple NICs lack efficient methods to manage and aggregate network resources, leading to suboptimal packet throughput and complexity in managing individual NICs within aggregation groups.
Innovation Solution
A network interface card (NIC) aggregation framework that includes a MAC service module to map ports to providers, allowing upper networking stack layers to control individual NIC resources while abstracting the aggregation group as a single virtual NIC, enabling efficient packet forwarding and reception through client and provider interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple NICs are grouped to form an aggregation group, then packet throughput is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a MAC service module as an intermediary layer between the MAC client and multiple NIC providers. This module manages the aggregation group by receiving packets from the client, determining the appropriate NIC for forwarding, and handling the actual transmission. This intermediary structure allows multiple NICs to be coordinated efficiently, improving packet throughput while abstracting away the complexity of managing individual NICs from the client application.
2Ease of operation
If a virtual NIC is used to represent the aggregation group, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual NIC that acts as a simplified copy or representation of the actual aggregation group. The virtual NIC presents a single interface to the client application, making it easy to operate without needing to understand or manage the underlying multiple physical NICs. The MAC service module maintains the mapping between this virtual representation and the actual providers, handling the complexity internally while preserving operational simplicity for the user.
3Adaptability or versatility
If individual NIC resources are controlled by upper networking stack layers, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network interface functionality into distinct components: the MAC client layer for high-level control decisions, the MAC service module for coordination and resource management, and individual NIC providers for actual packet transmission. This segmentation allows upper networking stack layers to control individual NIC resources by making decisions at the MAC client level, while the service module handles the complexity of resource allocation and NIC selection, thus improving adaptability without exposing the full complexity to the user.
Data Source
AI summary
In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a network interface card (NIC) aggregation framework, including a plurality of providers each configured to publish at least one port, a MAC client configured to send a packet to the at least one port, and a media access control (MAC) service module configured to map the at least one port to one of the plurality of providers, wherein the MAC service module comprises a client interface configured to interface with the MAC client and a provider interface configured to interface with each of the plurality of providers.