Network Adapter Counter Segmentation for Resource Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for network resource management using counters require substantial computational resources and memory accesses, especially in large-scale networks with millions of network connections.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a global counter, a local counter for each network connection, and a plurality of bits to determine active network connections, minimizing memory access by synchronizing the local counter values with the global counter and using atomic read-and-clear operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If counters are used to track data packets for each network connection, then network resource management capability is improved, but computational resources and memory accesses increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the counter into two parts: a local counter portion stored in fast memory associated with each network connection, and a global counter portion stored in slower memory. This segmentation allows the system to track per-connection packet counts while reducing the frequency and complexity of memory accesses by only updating the global counter periodically rather than on every packet arrival.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic synchronization between the local counter and global counter. Instead of updating the global counter on every packet arrival, the system periodically commits the local counter value to the global counter. This periodic action significantly reduces memory access frequency while maintaining accurate tracking of network connection activity over time.
2Measurement precision
If local counters are synchronized with global counter frequently, then accuracy of active connection determination is improved, but memory access overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic synchronization where the local counter is committed to the global counter at scheduled intervals rather than on every packet arrival. This approach maintains sufficient accuracy for determining active connections while dramatically reducing memory access overhead by avoiding frequent synchronization operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary local counting in fast memory before committing to the global counter. This preliminary action allows the system to accumulate packet counts locally without immediate global updates, reducing memory access overhead while maintaining the ability to determine active connections accurately at synchronization points.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and method for improved network resource management are described herein. An example computing apparatus comprises a network adapter configured to: receive, via a network connection, a data packet from the communication network; determine, from the first memory block, a value of an extended portion of a local counter associated with the network connection in response to receiving the data packet; capture, from the second memory block, a value of a global counter; compare the value of the extended portion of the local counter with the value of the global counter; and in an instance in which the comparison identifies a mismatch: update the value of the extended portion of the local counter based on the value of the global counter; and set a current value of a bit indicating a status of the network connection, wherein the bit is associated with the plurality of bits.