Network Interface Page Fault Handling via Buffer Queue Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems do not support effective page fault handling for incoming packets in network interface devices, leading to buffer overruns and packet loss due to the inability to pause incoming packet processing until page faults are resolved.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where network interface devices can allocate memory buffers for incoming packets and handle page faults by moving faulty buffers to a wait queue, allowing continued packet processing without waiting for the page fault to be resolved, and consuming packets in the order received.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the network interface device pauses processing of incoming packets to handle page faults, then packet loss is reduced, but network throughput and processing speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the queue of incoming packets into two parts: packets that can be processed immediately and packets that must be paused due to page faults. This allows the system to process available packets without waiting for page fault resolution, maintaining throughput while preventing packet loss through selective pausing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by checking buffer availability and page fault status before attempting to process incoming packets. The system proactively identifies packets that can be safely processed and advances them through the processing pipeline before page faults occur, reducing the need for pausing and maintaining higher throughput.
2Productivity
If the network interface device continues processing incoming packets without pausing, then network throughput is maintained, but buffer overruns and packet loss occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the network interface device continuously monitors buffer availability and page fault status. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts packet processing - pausing only when necessary to prevent buffer overruns while maintaining throughput when buffers are available.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its processing behavior based on real-time buffer status. When buffers are available, processing continues at full speed; when buffers are full or page faults occur, processing is temporarily paused. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain high throughput while preventing packet loss.
3Stability of the object's composition
If page fault handling is implemented for incoming packets, then system stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network interface device performs self-service by autonomously detecting page faults in its own buffers and pausing packet processing when needed. This self-managed approach improves system stability without requiring complex external control mechanisms, as the device handles page faults independently using built-in monitoring and control logic.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for supporting memory page fault handling for network devices are disclosed. In one implementation, a processing device may receive, at a network interface device of a host computer system, an incoming packet from a network. The processing device may also select a first buffer from a plurality of buffers associated with a receiving queue of the network interface device. The processing device may attempt to store the incoming packet at the first buffer of the plurality of buffers. Responsive to receiving a notification that attempting to store the incoming packet at the first buffer encountered a page fault, the processing device may assign the first buffer to a wait queue of the network interface device. The processing device may further store the incoming packet at a second buffer of the plurality of buffers associated with the receiving queue.