PCIe Fabric Box Resource Allocation via Path Distance Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fabric box systems in data centers do not optimize the allocation of pooled devices to host servers based on path distance, leading to inefficient resource allocation due to the lack of necessary data for optimal device-host connections.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a PCIe fabric box system that includes a fabric controller with an API to export path distance information from switches to a composer application, allowing for the allocation of devices with the shortest path distance to host servers, using the PCIe Link protocol or other interface protocols like Ethernet, Fibre Channel, or InfiniBand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If pooled devices are allocated to host servers without considering path distance, then resource allocation flexibility is improved, but connection efficiency deteriorates due to longer path distances
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric controller implements a feedback mechanism by calculating path distances between pooled devices and host servers, then using this information to guide allocation decisions. The system continuously monitors and evaluates path distances, feeding this information back into the allocation process to optimize both flexibility and connection efficiency simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary path distance calculations before device allocation occurs. By pre-computing and storing path distance information in a data structure, the system prepares allocation data in advance, enabling efficient real-time allocation decisions that consider both adaptability and connection speed requirements
2Productivity
If path distance information is calculated and stored for all device-host combinations, then allocation optimization is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the path distance information into manageable components organized by pooled device, host server, and PCIe switch. This segmentation allows the complex allocation problem to be broken down into smaller, independently calculable path segments, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining optimization capability
Solution Approach 2:
The fabric controller pre-calculates and stores path distance information in an organized data structure before allocation decisions are needed. This preliminary computation eliminates the need for complex real-time calculations during allocation, simplifying the operational system while maintaining optimization benefits
3Loss of time
If devices are allocated without path distance optimization, then allocation speed is improved, but resource distribution efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Path distance information is pre-calculated and stored in the fabric controller before allocation requests arrive. This preliminary preparation allows the allocation process to quickly retrieve and use pre-computed data, maintaining high allocation speed while enabling efficient resource distribution through informed decision-making
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from pre-calculated path distance information to guide allocation decisions. This feedback mechanism enables the system to make efficient allocation choices without requiring complex real-time calculations, thus maintaining allocation speed while improving overall resource distribution efficiency
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for efficiently allocating device resources is disclosed. A composer application is executed by a management controller. A fabric box includes fabric switches and a fabric controller. A network is coupled to the management controller and the fabric box. Host servers are each coupled to an upstream port of one of the fabric switches. Multiple device resources are coupled to downstream ports of the fabric switches. The fabric controller determines the path distances between each of the downstream ports and each of the upstream ports. The composer application selects a device based on the shortest path distance to a requested host server in response to an allocation command.