Remote Copy Operations for Protected Memory Regions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data center architectures face inefficiencies in resource utilization and management due to the integration of compute, storage, and memory resources within a single chassis, leading to suboptimal upgrade cycles and resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a disaggregated resource model using RDMA for efficient data transfer and fine-grained security, allowing independent upgrade and allocation of resources through chassis-less sleds with optimized thermal cooling and power management, enabling flexible workload execution across distributed nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If compute, storage, and memory resources are integrated within a single chassis, then hardware simplicity is maintained, but resource utilization efficiency and upgrade flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the traditional integrated server into separate functional modules: compute nodes, storage nodes, and memory nodes. Each node is independent and can be upgraded or replaced separately. The fabric interconnect provides communication between these segmented nodes, enabling resource allocation flexibility while improving utilization efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality through the fabric interconnect layer that enables any node type to access any resource type. Compute nodes can access storage and memory from different node types, and resources can be dynamically allocated to different workloads. This multi-functional access capability improves resource utilization while maintaining manageable system architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If resources are integrated in a single chassis, then hardware simplicity is maintained, but independent upgrade capability and refresh cycle optimization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments resources into independently upgradable components. Each storage node, memory node, and compute node can be upgraded independently through the fabric interconnect. This allows optimization of refresh cycles for different resource types based on their specific lifecycles and performance requirements, while the modular architecture keeps management complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic resource allocation and migration capabilities through the fabric interconnect. Resources can be dynamically reassigned between nodes based on workload demands, enabling flexible upgrade strategies where older nodes can be replaced while maintaining service continuity. This dynamic flexibility improves adaptability without proportionally increasing management complexity.
3Productivity
If RDMA is used for data transfer, then data copy efficiency is improved, but network infrastructure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the fabric interconnect as an intermediary layer between compute nodes, storage nodes, and memory nodes. This intermediary provides RDMA-capable communication while abstracting the underlying network complexity from the resource nodes themselves. The fabric interconnect handles the complexity of direct memory access, enabling efficient data transfers without requiring each node to implement complex networking logic.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples herein relate to an interface selectively providing access to a memory region for a work request from an entity by providing selective access to a physical address of the memory region and selective access to a cryptographic key for use by a memory controller to access the memory region. In some examples, providing selective access to a physical address conversion is based on one or more of: validation of a certificate received with the work request and an identifier of the entity being associated with a process with access to the memory region. Access to the memory region can be specified. A memory region can be a page or sub-page sized region. Different access rights can be associated with different sub-portions of the memory region, wherein the access rights comprise one or more of: create, read, update, delete, write, or notify.