Network Interface Device Hub Scheduler Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network interface devices face challenges in efficiently processing high data rates and supporting specialized applications, as they often require customized designs and increased data processing capabilities, which existing technologies struggle to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
A network interface device is designed with a data processing path comprising multiple data processing engines and hubs, where schedulers control data output, allowing for flexible configuration and increased data processing capabilities, including the use of hardened logic and programmable circuitry to manage data flows and storage resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If network interface devices are customized for specific applications and increased data rates, then processing capability and adaptability improve, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal network interface device architecture that can be configured for different applications and data rates through programmable circuitry and configurable data processing paths. The device uses a standardized hub-and-engine architecture that can be adapted to various specialized applications without requiring complete redesign, thus improving productivity while controlling complexity through modular universality.
2Productivity
If multiple data processing engines and hubs are added to increase data processing capabilities, then processing power improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network interface device into modular components: multiple data processing engines, hubs, schedulers, and buffer memory units. Each engine can be independently configured for specific processing tasks, and hubs provide standardized interconnection points. This segmentation allows the system to scale processing power by adding or configuring individual engines without proportionally increasing overall system complexity, as each module follows the same architectural pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic configuration capabilities where data processing paths, engine assignments, and buffer allocations can be dynamically adjusted based on application requirements and traffic patterns. The programmable circuitry allows the device to reconfigure its internal architecture at runtime, enabling the same physical hardware to adapt to different processing demands without requiring static complex designs for all possible scenarios.
3Adaptability or versatility
If specialized configurations are implemented for specific applications, then adaptability improves, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal hub-and-engine architecture that serves as a standardized platform for multiple specialized applications. The device uses configurable data processing paths and programmable circuitry that can be software-defined to meet specific application requirements, allowing a single manufacturing process to produce devices that can be later customized for different uses without requiring application-specific hardware variants.
Data Source
AI summary
A network interface device comprises a streaming data processing path comprising a first data processing engine and hubs. A first scheduler associated with a first hub controls an output of data by the first hub to the first data processing engine and a second scheduler associated with a second hub controls an output of data by the second hub. The first hub is arranged upstream of the first data processing engine on the data processing path and is configured to receive data from a first upstream data path entity and from a first data processing entity implemented in programmable circuitry via a data ingress interface of the first hub. The first data processing engine is configured to receive data from the first hub, process the received data and output the processed data to the second hub arranged downstream of first data processing engine.