Distributed Multimedia Server Using Remote Direct Memory Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional distributed multimedia server systems face processing delays and high costs due to reliance on Ethernet networks and high-speed servers when handling high-definition video distribution, leading to increased facility costs and inefficiencies in processing and transmission.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an intercluster connection network with remote direct memory access capabilities to reduce communication load between buffer and storage server modules, allowing for efficient transfer of multimedia information without the need for high-load communication protocols, thereby enabling high-speed distribution of high-definition video at a lower cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If Ethernet network and TCP/IP protocol are used for multimedia information transmission, then communication reliability is improved, but processing delay increases and transmission speed reduces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidprocessing delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the TCP/IP protocol stack and communication reliability functions from the transmission path, replacing them with direct memory access operations. By taking out the protocol processing layer and using hardware-level remote direct memory access, the system eliminates protocol overhead while maintaining data integrity through alternative mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the software-based TCP/IP protocol processing mechanism with a hardware-based remote direct memory access mechanism. This substitution eliminates the need for software protocol stacks and associated processing delays, achieving high-speed data transfer through direct hardware memory access between servers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Speed

If high-speed servers and gigabit Ethernet network are deployed to handle high-definition video distribution, then transmission speed is improved, but system cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission speedVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of data access from network-based protocol communication to direct memory access. By altering the access method from software protocol processing to hardware-level memory operations, the system achieves high-speed transmission without requiring expensive high-performance network infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive, high-specification servers with standard servers equipped with remote direct memory access capabilities. By using more economical hardware that leverages direct memory access for high-speed operations, the system achieves comparable performance at lower cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If the number of server modules is increased to reduce processing load per module, then processing efficiency is improved, but facility size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidfacility size

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the communication function and storage function into a unified remote direct memory access operation. By combining these functions at the hardware level, the system reduces the need for separate communication infrastructure and reduces the number of server modules required, thereby decreasing facility size while maintaining processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Productivity

If remote direct memory access is implemented for multimedia information transfer, then communication load is reduced and throughput increases, but network compatibility with standard Ethernet is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovethroughputVSAvoidnetwork compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces remote direct memory access capability as an intermediary layer between standard Ethernet networks and server memory systems. This intermediary enables high-speed direct memory access while maintaining compatibility with standard network interfaces, allowing the system to leverage both the speed of direct access and the versatility of standard Ethernet infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9002969B2Distributed multimedia server system, multimedia information distribution method, and computer product

Publication Date: 2015.04.07 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP

AI summary

A distributed multimedia server system includes a buffer server module, a storage server module, and an intercluster connection network. Based on memory information on a buffer memory of the storage server module that stores divided multimedia information, the buffer server module obtains the divided multimedia information from the buffer memory using remote direct memory access. The storage server module reads the divided multimedia information requested from the buffer server module from a storage device, and stores the divided multimedia information in the buffer memory.