Storage Network Interface Core Allocation for Multi-Port Protocol Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network interfaces in storage systems face challenges in efficiently allocating CPU resources for protocol processing, leading to suboptimal performance and interference between ports due to core allocation methods that either limit performance or disrupt network protocol processes.
Innovation Solution
A storage system with a network interface equipped with a general-purpose processor and memory, employing a core allocation control method that allocates cores to ports in a manner that minimizes interference and maximizes performance, allowing for flexible protocol support and management processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If all cores are allocated to one port to exhibit maximum performance, then the processing performance of that port is improved, but the network protocol process of other ports cannot be executed
Solution Approach 1:
The processor cores are segmented into occupied cores and non-occupied cores. Occupied cores are exclusively allocated to specific ports for managing network protocol processes, while non-occupied cores handle network protocol processes for multiple ports. This segmentation allows each port to have dedicated resources for management tasks while sharing resources for data plane processing, resolving the contradiction between maximizing single-port performance and maintaining multi-port functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Different quality levels of core allocation are applied to different ports based on their needs. Each port is assigned at least one occupied core with exclusive access for management processes, ensuring high reliability and performance for control functions. Meanwhile, non-occupied cores provide shared resources for data plane processing. This local differentiation in resource quality allows each port to exhibit maximum performance for its specific functions while maintaining overall system versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cores are allocated to each port at a predetermined ratio or in time division manner, then multi-port functionality is maintained, but the processing performance of individual ports is limited and inter-port interference occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The core allocation is segmented into two distinct categories: occupied cores that are exclusively allocated to specific ports for management processes, and non-occupied cores that are shared for network protocol processes. This segmentation eliminates inter-port interference for management functions while maintaining efficient resource utilization for data plane processing, thereby achieving both high performance and multi-port functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The occupied core acts as an intermediary between the port and the non-occupied cores. It handles management processes exclusively for its assigned port, isolating control functions from data plane operations. This intermediary structure prevents management processes of one port from interfering with network protocol processes of other ports, while still allowing efficient resource sharing through the non-occupied cores.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a core allocated to a certain port is reallocated to another port during management process execution, then resource utilization is improved, but the network protocol process of the original port is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The core allocation structure is segmented into occupied cores with exclusive management rights and non-occupied cores for shared processing. This segmentation ensures that occupied cores maintain stable, interference-free execution of management processes for their assigned ports, while non-occupied cores handle dynamic workloads. The clear separation prevents reallocation interruptions to management processes, maintaining reliability while still allowing flexible resource utilization through the non-occupied core pool.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage system includes a storage controller on which a network interface including a processor including a plurality of cores, a memory, and a plurality of ports is mounted. The processor allocates at least one occupied core to each of the plurality of ports, controls the occupied core to execute a management process of the port to which the occupied core is allocated and a network protocol process of communication performed via the port to which the occupied core is allocated, and controls the cores other than the occupied core to execute the network protocol process of the communication performed via the port.