Shared Context Memory for Dynamic Network Protocol Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional server systems face inefficiencies and high costs due to the need for separate hardware and software components for each type of network traffic, leading to hardware and software redundancies and difficulties in integrating different network protocols.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a single shared context memory to process data from multiple network protocols, allowing dynamic allocation and reallocation of resources to handle different types of network traffic, such as L2, L4, RDMA, and iSCSI, thereby reducing the need for separate memories and improving resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate hardware and software components are used for each type of network traffic, then each protocol can be processed independently with dedicated resources, but hardware and software redundancies increase and integration becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple network protocol processing functions into a single network interface card. The NIC includes a unified reception buffer and transmission buffer that can handle different protocol types (storage traffic, interprocess communication, network traffic) simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate hardware components for each protocol and reducing system complexity while maintaining reliable processing
Solution Approach 2:
The network interface card is designed with universal buffers that can dynamically allocate resources to handle multiple types of network traffic. The reception buffer and transmission buffer can serve different protocol functions (iSCSI, RDMA, TCP/IP) without requiring dedicated buffers for each, making the device multi-functional and reducing redundancy
2Reliability
If separate buffers are allocated for each network protocol, then each protocol has dedicated memory resources, but memory usage increases and resource utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reception buffers and transmission buffers into shared memory resources that can be dynamically allocated to different protocol types. Instead of having separate dedicated buffers for storage traffic, IPC traffic, and network traffic, the system uses unified buffers that all protocols can access, reducing total memory usage while ensuring reliable processing through appropriate buffer management
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer allocation is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The system can allocate buffer space to different protocols based on current traffic demands, allowing efficient memory utilization. When one protocol type requires less buffer space, that memory can be reallocated to protocols with higher demands, optimizing resource usage while maintaining processing reliability
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for providing pooling or dynamic allocation of connection context data may comprise receiving data associated with a first network protocol and receiving data associated with a second network protocol. A single shared context memory may be utilized for processing at least some of the data associated with the first network protocol and at least some of the data associated with the second network protocol. At least a portion of the received data associated with the first and/or second network protocols may be offloaded for processing in the single context memory. The received data associated with a first and/or second network protocols may comprise traffic data and control data. Portions of the shared single context memory may be dynamically allocated and/or reallocated for processing received data associated with the first and second network protocols.