Network Reconfiguration of Acceleration Components

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Solution Overview

Problem

Data center providers face challenges in increasing processing capabilities and efficiency within data centers, as adding more general-purpose computing devices is cost-ineffective due to power limitations, and non-programmable computing device specialization leads to management issues and inconsistent platforms.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves reconfiguring acceleration components over a network using image files, allowing for centralized management of accelerated services without requiring changes to locally linked hosts, and enabling the maintenance of network interfaces stability during configuration, enabling efficient and flexible allocation of resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If more general-purpose computing devices are added to increase processing capabilities, then processing power is improved, but power consumption and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing capabilitiesVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operational parameters of computing devices by transitioning between different operational modes (full operation, partial operation, standby) based on workload demands. This allows the system to maintain processing capabilities while reducing power consumption during low-demand periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of computing devices based on real-time workload requirements. Devices can be activated or deactivated dynamically, allowing the system to optimize between processing power and energy consumption rather than maintaining static configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If computing devices are specialized to improve efficiency, then processing efficiency is improved, but management complexity and platform consistency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidmanagement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universal management interfaces and standardized operational modes that work across different types of computing devices. This allows specialized devices to maintain their efficiency while being managed through a consistent platform, reducing management complexity despite device specialization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments computing devices into standardized functional units with defined operational modes. This segmentation allows each device to be specialized for specific tasks while maintaining uniform management protocols, separating the complexity of specialization from the simplicity of management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If acceleration components are reconfigured to improve adaptability, then service flexibility is improved, but configuration stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice flexibilityVSAvoidconfiguration stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary validation and verification of configuration changes before applying them to acceleration components. This ensures that reconfigurations maintain stability by checking compatibility and correctness in advance, allowing flexible service adaptation without compromising configuration integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms that monitor the state of acceleration components during and after reconfiguration. This feedback allows the system to detect and correct configuration issues, maintaining stability while enabling flexible service transitions through controlled reconfiguration cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3314435B1Configuring acceleration components over a network
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3314435B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3314435B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3314435B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Aspects extend to methods, systems, and computer program products for (re)configuring acceleration components over a network. (Re)configuration can be implemented for any of a variety of reasons, including to address an error in functionality at the acceleration component or to update functionality at the acceleration component. During (re)configuration, connectivity can be maintained for any other functionality at the acceleration component untouched by the (re)configuration. Network (re)configuration of acceleration components facilitates management of acceleration components and accelerated services from a centralized service. Network (re)configuration of acceleration components also relieves host components from having to store (potentially diverse and numerous) image files.