Multi-Host NIC Sharing for High-Density Server Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing server configurations face challenges in integrating additional Network Interface Controller (NIC) cards due to increased fan noise and thermal management issues, which disrupt signal transmission and complicate thermal solutions, especially in high-density server enclosures.
Innovation Solution
A multi-host NIC card is introduced that shares network resources among multiple compute nodes within a server enclosure, utilizing auxiliary cards with PCIe re-timer units for connectivity and communication, connected to a single TOR switch port, enabling higher speeds and bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If additional NIC cards are introduced to increase network bandwidth, then network throughput is improved, but fan noise increases to maximum levels disrupting signal transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple NIC card functions into a single multi-host NIC card that can serve multiple compute nodes simultaneously. This consolidation maintains high network throughput by providing aggregated bandwidth while reducing the number of physical NIC cards installed, thereby lowering fan speeds and minimizing noise disruption to signal transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-host NIC card is designed with universal functionality to serve multiple compute nodes through a single device. It incorporates multiple network ports and supports simultaneous connections to multiple hosts, providing the network bandwidth of multiple cards while occupying only one physical slot, thus reducing thermal load and fan noise.
2Productivity
If more compute nodes are integrated in the common space to increase system density, then system capacity is improved, but thermal management becomes more difficult and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges network resources by implementing a shared multi-host NIC card that multiple compute nodes can access simultaneously. This reduces the overall component density within the enclosure by eliminating redundant NIC cards, thereby reducing thermal generation and simplifying thermal management requirements while maintaining high system capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-host NIC card creates a shared resource copy that multiple compute nodes can access concurrently. Instead of each node having its own dedicated NIC card, the system uses a shared instance that provides equivalent network functionality to multiple hosts, reducing thermal load and management complexity.
3Ease of repair
If each compute node has its own dedicated NIC card for independent serviceability, then serviceability is improved, but device complexity and thermal load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the multi-host NIC card into multiple functional ports, with each port dedicated to a specific compute node. This logical segmentation maintains independent serviceability for each node while using a single physical device, reducing overall complexity and thermal load compared to having separate dedicated NIC cards for each node.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and method are provided. An illustrative system includes a first compute node having a first processing unit, a first compute node port, and a first peripheral component interconnect bus configured to carry data between the first processing unit and the first compute node port. The system may further include a multi-host device having a first multi-host port, where the first multi-host port is configured to connect with the first compute node port via a first peripheral component interconnect cable, a network port, where the network port is configured to receive a network interface of a networking cable, and processing circuitry configured to translate and carry data between the first multi-host port and the network port.