Network Interface Card Load Balancing Offloading Host Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional load balance systems in network communications face bottlenecks due to processing inefficiencies in host processing devices, leading to response latency and underutilization of high network bandwidth, especially when handling high traffic loads.
Innovation Solution
A network interface card (NIC) with a multi-core processor and dedicated processing capabilities, such as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), is used to apply load balance operations, offloading tasks from host processing devices and enabling efficient high-bandwidth network communications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If load balance operations are performed by host processing devices, then system complexity is reduced, but processing efficiency decreases and response latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the load balance operation from the host processing device and relocates it to the NIC. The NIC now independently performs load balance operations by determining whether to apply load balance and selecting appropriate service nodes, freeing the host processing device from this specific task while maintaining overall system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the NIC as an intermediary component between the network and the host processing device. The NIC acts as a mediator that handles load balance operations, packet routing decisions, and service node selection, reducing the direct processing burden on the host while maintaining system coordination.
2Productivity
If more processing resources are allocated to handle high traffic loads, then processing capacity increases, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the NIC multi-functional by enabling it to perform not only its traditional network interface functions but also load balance operations and service node selection. This eliminates the need for additional dedicated processing resources or hardware components, achieving enhanced processing capacity without increasing system cost.
3Productivity
If load balance is applied by host processing device, then ease of operation is maintained, but network bandwidth utilization is underutilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the processing responsibilities by dividing the system into two functional parts: the NIC handles load balance operations and packet routing decisions, while the host processing device focuses on higher-level application processing. This segmentation enables full network bandwidth utilization while maintaining operational simplicity through clear functional separation.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method, a network interface card (NIC) and a computer program product for load balance. The method comprises determining, by a NIC of a network node, whether a packet obtained comprises a request to establish a network connection for a first device; in response to determining that the packet comprises a request to establish the network connection, determining whether the load balance associated with the network connection is to be applied by the NIC or a host processing device on the network node; and in response to determining that the load balance is to be applied by the NIC, applying the load balance among a set of devices using the NIC, so as to select a second device from the set of devices to establish the network connection with the first device. In this way, efficient and cost-effective load balance in the network can be achieved by means of the NIC.