Network Interface Card Live Upgrade Path Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for live software upgrades on servers often result in noticeable interruptions due to input and output traffic disruptions, which can impact customer experience and performance.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for upgrading software on a network interface card that involves monitoring I/O traffic, calculating spare capacity, and strategically halting or maintaining paths based on traffic demand to minimize downtime and ensure seamless upgrades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If known techniques are used for live upgrade, then software can be updated while customer processes operate, but I/O traffic will be interrupted and customer may notice the interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the I/O paths into multiple paths with different priorities. By dividing the traffic paths, the system can selectively halt lower-priority paths while maintaining higher-priority paths during the upgrade process, enabling continuous operation for critical traffic while allowing upgrade to proceed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts path status during the upgrade process. The system monitors I/O traffic in real-time and dynamically halts or restores paths based on current traffic conditions and upgrade progress, allowing the system to adapt to changing circumstances and maintain continuous operation where possible.
2Loss of time
If path is halted during upgrade, then upgrade can be performed with minimal traffic disruption, but I/O traffic capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different quality levels to different paths by assigning priorities. Not all paths are treated equally - high-priority paths maintain full capacity while low-priority paths may be halted. This local differentiation allows the system to optimize upgrade performance without completely sacrificing I/O capacity for critical traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial action by selectively halting only the necessary paths rather than all paths during upgrade. By calculating spare I/O capacity and determining the minimum required capacity, the system halts only the excess paths, maintaining sufficient capacity for essential operations while reducing overall disruption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If spare I/O capacity is calculated to determine path removal, then upgrade can be optimized based on actual traffic needs, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors actual I/O traffic and compares it against path capacity. This feedback loop enables the system to calculate spare capacity in real-time and make informed decisions about which paths to halt, optimizing the upgrade process based on actual usage patterns rather than static configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques disclosed herein include receiving a request to perform an upgrade. The upgrade can comprise changes to firmware or software of the network interface card. Input/Output (I/O) traffic can be monitored on one or more paths between the network interface card and a storage device. The paths can have a path capacity comprising a bandwidth of Input/Output traffic. The spare Input/Output traffic capacity can be calculated based at least in part on the Input/Output traffic and the path capacity. Whether to remove a path can be determined based at least in part on the spare Input/Output traffic capacity. The upgrade can be performed with the path halted in accordance with a determination to remove the path. The upgrade can be performed with the path included in accordance with a determination to not remove the path.