NIC Teaming Model Using CIM Extensions for Multi-Vendor Load Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current information handling systems lack a standard protocol for network interface controller (NIC) teaming across multiple vendors, leading to inconsistencies in feature detection and algorithm application, which hinders performance gains and utilization of advanced features in NIC teams.
Innovation Solution
The development of a computer-implemented method and data structure to model NIC teaming using CIM extensions, including classes and association classes to represent NIC team attributes and relationships, enabling load balancing and advanced feature management within NIC teams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple vendors implement NIC teaming with proprietary drivers and algorithms, then vendor-specific functionality and performance optimization are achieved, but standardization and interoperability across different vendors deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a standardized CIM-based teaming model that can represent NIC teams from multiple vendors (Broadcom, Intel, Cisco, etc.) through a common set of classes and associations. This universal model enables consistent management and monitoring of NIC teams regardless of vendor-specific implementations, resolving the contradiction between vendor compatibility and model complexity.
2Reliability
If NIC teaming uses proprietary intermediate drivers in Windows, then vendor-specific teaming features are enabled, but cross-vendor teaming capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses CIM (Common Information Model) as an intermediary layer between vendor-specific proprietary drivers and the management system. This intermediary standardizes the interface, allowing consistent representation and management of NIC teams from different vendors without requiring direct support for each vendor's proprietary driver architecture.
3Productivity
If NIC teams have different RSS (Receive Side Scaling) settings on individual members, then each NIC can optimize its own performance, but the entire team must function with RSS disabled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the teaming model to detect and adapt to different RSS settings across team members. The system can dynamically determine whether RSS is enabled or disabled for each NIC and adjust team behavior accordingly, allowing the team to leverage advanced features from all members rather than being constrained by the least capable member.
4Ease of manufacture
If no standard protocol exists for NIC teaming, then vendor-specific optimizations are maintained, but performance gains and advanced feature utilization are hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of teaming management from proprietary vendor-specific parameters to standardized CIM parameters. This parameter change enables consistent representation of NIC teams across vendors while maintaining the ability to detect and utilize advanced features like RSS, thereby improving team performance without sacrificing implementation flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method disclosed may include providing a plurality of classes to represent at least one attribute of a NIC team, providing at least one association class to represent the relationship between each of the plurality of classes and associating each of the plurality of classes with the at least one association class.