Relay Device Logical Path Consistency Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In communication systems using FCLINK connections, logical path mismatches between a host and an I/O device can occur, leading to inconsistent communication channel establishment and hindering normal utilization, especially when virtual machines switch usage of shared I/O devices.
Innovation Solution
A relay device stores and manages logical-path information to ensure consistency between the host's requested communication paths and actual device logical paths, using control processors and network controllers to establish or remove logical paths as needed to match the host's requests, thereby maintaining consistent communication channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If logical paths are established using FCLINK connections with distance limitations, then communication reliability between host and I/O device is improved, but device complexity increases due to relay devices and network infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a relay device as an intermediary component that bridges the host and I/O device through network connections. The relay device contains a control processor that manages logical path establishment and maintains path information tables, enabling FCLINK-style reliable communication over extended distances without requiring direct physical connections between all components.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system is segmented into distinct functional components: the host, the relay device with control processor, and the I/O device. The logical path management is further segmented by maintaining separate path information tables that track different communication routes, allowing independent management of each logical path segment.
2Stability of the object's composition
If logical path information is manually configured, then communication consistency is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates due to manual configuration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The control processor in the relay device automatically manages logical path establishment by receiving connection requests from the host, comparing requested paths against stored path information in the path information table, and autonomously establishing or removing logical paths as needed. This eliminates manual configuration while maintaining consistency through automated path management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the control processor continuously monitors connection requests and compares them against the stored path information table. Based on this comparison feedback, the system automatically adjusts logical path configuration to maintain consistency between the host's requested paths and the actual established paths.
3Adaptability or versatility
If logical paths are dynamically adjusted to match host requests, then adaptability improves, but reliability may deteriorate due to potential mismatches and communication failures
Solution Approach 1:
The relay device pre-establishes and stores logical path information in the path information table before actual communication occurs. This preliminary configuration allows the system to quickly and reliably establish connections by simply referencing pre-validated path information, reducing the risk of mismatches during dynamic adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The control processor continuously compares requested logical paths against the stored path information table, using this feedback to verify and adjust connections. This feedback loop ensures that dynamic path adjustments maintain consistency and reliability by validating each connection against pre-established path criteria.
Data Source
AI summary
A relay device stores first logical-path information indicating information on communication logical paths used for communication between an information processing apparatus and an input and output device, where the communication logical paths each includes a device logical path used between the relay device and the input and output device. Upon detection of a mismatch between the first logical-path information and second logical-path information that is requested from the information processing apparatus and includes information on target communication logical paths to be used for communication between the information processing apparatus and the input and output device, the relay device controls setting of the device logical path included in each of the communication logical paths so that the communication logical paths are consistent with the target communication logical paths indicated by the second logical-path information.