RDMA Network Virtualization for Server Peripheral Resource Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data transfer protocols between servers and remote peripherals are inefficient, leading to over-provisioning of resources and low utilization, as well as limitations in reconfiguring resource environments due to physical resource assignment and inadequate communication protocols.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) capable network that connects multiple servers to a remote entity with virtualization logic, using server descriptor rings and descriptors for efficient data transfer, allowing dynamic reconfiguration and improved resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If resources are assigned on a per server or per processor basis, then each server has dedicated access to peripherals, but resource utilization is low and over-provisioning occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a shared peripheral resource pool that can be dynamically allocated to multiple servers. Instead of dedicating peripherals to single servers, the system allows multiple servers to access the same physical peripherals through virtualization, enabling one peripheral to serve multiple functions and multiple servers simultaneously, thereby improving resource utilization while maintaining reliable access for each server.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic resource allocation mechanisms where peripheral assignments can be changed at runtime based on actual server needs. The system can reconfigure which server accesses which peripheral dynamically, allowing the resource environment to adapt to changing workloads and requirements, thus improving both utilization and reliability without over-provisioning.
2Ease of operation
If protocols for communication between servers and remote peripherals are used, then data transfer is enabled, but the protocols are inefficient and inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the inefficient communication protocols from the traditional server-peripheral interaction model and replaces them with a dedicated high-performance communication path. By separating the data transfer function from the standard protocol stack and implementing a specialized RDMA-based communication mechanism, the system achieves efficient data transfer while maintaining ease of operation through abstracted interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtualization layer and descriptor ring mechanism as an intermediary between servers and remote peripherals. This intermediary handles the complexity of efficient data transfer, managing buffer descriptors, write indices, and RDMA operations, thereby enabling high-performance communication without requiring servers to directly implement complex protocols, thus maintaining ease of operation while improving productivity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If physical resource assignment is used, then servers have stable access to peripherals, but the ability to reconstruct or reconfigure resource environment is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource assignment where the mapping between servers and peripherals is not fixed but can be reconfigured at runtime. The virtualization layer maintains stable logical access for servers while allowing the physical resource environment to be dynamically reconstructed and reconfigured based on changing requirements, thus achieving both stability and adaptability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of peripheral resources that servers interact with logically. These virtual representations provide stable, consistent interfaces to servers while the underlying physical resources can be reassigned and reconfigured without affecting server operations. The virtualization layer maintains the stability of the resource environment composition from the server's perspective while enabling flexibility in the physical layer.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus are provided for transferring data between servers and a remote entity having multiple peripherals. Multiple servers are connected to a remote entity over an Remote Direct Memory Access capable network. The remote entity includes peripherals such as network interface cards (NICs) and host bus adapters (HBAs). Server descriptor rings and descriptors are provided to allow efficient and effective communication between the servers and the remote entity.