RDMA Transport Protocol Interface for Efficient Data Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional network protocols, such as TCP/IP, face inefficiencies in data transfer due to excessive CPU utilization, memory bandwidth issues, and interference across multiple network flows, leading to suboptimal system resource usage and performance degradation as network bandwidth increases.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing an interface for network transport that selects one of three transfer modes based on data size thresholds, employing credit-based flow control and RDMA operations to optimize resource usage and reduce processor involvement, thereby facilitating high-bandwidth, low-latency data transfer with minimal CPU utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional network protocols (TCP/IP) are used for data transfer, then reliability and compatibility are maintained, but CPU utilization increases excessively and memory bandwidth is consumed inefficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data transfer function from the conventional TCP/IP protocol stack and implements it directly at the network interface card (NIC) level using RDMA technology. This extraction removes the burden of protocol processing from the CPU, allowing reliable data transfer to be maintained while significantly reducing CPU utilization. The NIC handles segmentation, reassembly, and error correction independently of the host processor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces RDMA as an intermediary layer between the application layer and the physical network layer. This intermediary enables direct memory access between remote systems without involving the CPU in the data path, thus maintaining transfer reliability through standardized protocols while minimizing processor involvement. The RDMA layer acts as a mediator that offloads networking functions from the CPU to specialized hardware.
2Productivity
If network bandwidth is increased to improve data transfer speed, then throughput increases, but interference across multiple network flows increases and system performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network flows into separate virtual channels or queues at the NIC level, allowing multiple flows to be transmitted simultaneously over high-bandwidth networks without interfering with each other. Each flow can be independently managed and prioritized, preventing the interference that would otherwise occur when multiple flows share the same network resources. This segmentation enables scalable throughput as network bandwidth increases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic flow management where the NIC can adaptively adjust flow priorities, bandwidth allocation, and scheduling based on current network conditions and application requirements. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize throughput for each flow independently while preventing interference, even as network bandwidth and traffic patterns change over time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If data is transferred using conventional protocols, then compatibility with existing systems is maintained, but memory bandwidth is consumed inefficiently due to multiple copies and processor involvement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data copying operation from the processor and implements zero-copy transfer at the hardware level. Data is transferred directly between remote memory and local memory without being copied into processor buffers or caches. This extraction maintains compatibility with existing systems through standardized interfaces while eliminating the excessive memory bandwidth consumption caused by multiple data copies in conventional protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent eliminates unnecessary copying operations by implementing direct memory-to-memory transfer. Instead of copying data through multiple intermediate buffers and processor stages, the system uses RDMA to perform single-copy or zero-copy transfers, significantly reducing memory bandwidth consumption while maintaining system compatibility through standardized RDMA interfaces.
4Use of energy by moving object
If processor involvement is reduced to improve energy efficiency, then CPU utilization decreases, but protocol management and flow control become more complex at the interface level
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where the NIC autonomously handles protocol management, flow control, error correction, and data buffering without requiring processor intervention. The interface monitors its own state, manages its own queues and buffers, and automatically adjusts flow control parameters based on network conditions. This self-service approach reduces CPU energy consumption while the added complexity is contained within the NIC rather than the host system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the RDMA interface as an intermediary that absorbs the complexity of protocol management and flow control. This intermediary layer handles all the complex operations between the application and the physical network, allowing the application to use simple APIs while the intermediary manages the complexity internally. The complexity is thus isolated to the intermediary layer rather than propagating to the processor or application logic.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a system and method for utilizing a protocol over RDMA network fabric between a first computing node and a second computing node. The protocol identifies a first threshold and a second threshold. A transfer request is received, and, a data size associated with the transfer request is determined. Based up the data size associated with the transfer request, one of at least three transfer modes is selected to perform the transfer request in accordance with the first threshold and the second threshold. Each transfer mode utilizes flow control and at least one RDMA operation. The selected transfer mode is utilized to perform the transfer request.