Memory Partition Identifier System for Noisy Neighbor Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In data processing systems, the 'noisy neighbor' problem occurs where one software execution environment's excessive resource usage in a shared memory system hampers the performance of others, particularly in enterprise networking and server systems, leading to inefficiencies and performance degradation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a partition identifier system that allows processing circuitry to manage memory transactions and resource allocation based on specific partition identifiers, controlling resource allocation and performance monitoring data to isolate and prioritize memory transactions from different software execution environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple software execution environments share a common memory system, then resource utilization is improved, but performance degradation occurs due to noisy neighbor effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the shared memory system resources by introducing partition identifiers that divide the memory system into multiple partitions. Each software execution environment is assigned to a specific partition, creating logical separation while maintaining physical sharing. This segmentation allows independent resource allocation and performance monitoring for each partition, preventing noisy neighbor effects while preserving high resource utilization.
2Reliability
If resource allocation is controlled based on partition identifiers, then noisy neighbor effect is mitigated, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces partition identifiers as an intermediary mechanism between software execution environments and memory system resources. These identifiers act as mediators that enable controlled resource allocation without requiring complex direct management. The partition identifier system provides a standardized interface for resource control, simplifying the overall system architecture while achieving reliable performance isolation.
3Measurement precision
If performance monitoring is enabled for all memory transactions, then performance data accuracy is improved, but processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by enabling performance monitoring selectively at the partition level rather than uniformly across all memory transactions. Each partition can have its monitoring requirements configured independently, allowing performance data to be collected with high accuracy for critical partitions while reducing monitoring overhead for less critical ones. This localized approach optimizes the balance between measurement precision and processing efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprises partition identifier storage storing an instruction partition identifier and a data partition identifier. When issuing a memory transaction for accessing data, the transaction is issued specifying a partition identifier depending on the data partition identifier, while when the memory transaction is for accessing an instruction, the transaction specifies a partition identifier depending on the instruction partition identifier. A memory system component selects one of a number of sets of memory system component parameters in dependence on the partition identifier specified by a memory transaction to be handled. The memory system component controls allocation of resources for handling the memory transaction or manages contention for the resources in dependence on the selected set of parameters, or updates performance monitoring data specified by the selected set of parameters in response to handling of said memory transaction.