Multi-Protocol Network Adapter Merging Storage and Traffic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional file servers require two separate network adapters to connect to storage and traffic networks, leading to increased costs and complexity due to the need for redundant networks and dual adapters.
Innovation Solution
A multi-protocol network adapter that can receive and decode data streams from a single network, using a protocol identifier to distinguish between traffic and storage protocols, allowing for the use of a single adapter to handle both types of data on the same physical network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two separate network adapters are used to connect to storage and traffic networks, then protocol-specific data transmission is ensured, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate network adapters (one for storage protocol and one for traffic protocol) into a single multi-protocol network adapter. This adapter includes a protocol identifier that automatically detects whether incoming data is storage or traffic data, and routes it to the appropriate processing chain, thereby reducing hardware complexity while maintaining protocol-specific transmission reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The network adapter is designed with universal functionality to handle both storage protocol data and traffic protocol data through a single interface. The adapter includes separate processing chains for storage data and traffic data, allowing it to perform multiple functions simultaneously without requiring separate dedicated adapters for each protocol type
2Reliability
If two redundant networks are built for storage and traffic, then data transmission reliability is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the storage network and traffic network into a single shared network infrastructure. The multi-protocol network adapter distinguishes between storage data and traffic data using protocol identification, allowing both types of data to traverse the same physical network without requiring separate redundant network infrastructures
Solution Approach 2:
The protocol identifier acts as an intermediary that receives incoming data on the shared network, determines whether the data is storage or traffic data, and directs it to the appropriate processing chain. This mediator enables reliable protocol-specific transmission over a unified network infrastructure
Data Source
AI summary
Storage and network data can be received from one network using a multi-protocol network adapter. In one embodiment, such a multi-protocol network adapter includes a port to receive a serialized data stream, the serialized data stream including traffic data encoded using a traffic protocol and storage data encoded using a storage protocol and a receiver coupled to the port to de-serialize the received data stream. A physical layer frame extracted from the de-serialized data stream can be stored in an input buffer. The multi-protocol network adapter can also include a protocol identifier coupled to the input buffer to determine whether the physical layer frame was encoded using the traffic or the storage protocol, and a storage decoder coupled to the protocol identifier to decode the physical layer frame using the storage protocol if the physical layer frame is determined to have been encoded using the storage protocol by the protocol identifier.