Storage-NIC Integration for Low-Latency Content Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing content distribution systems incur latency and processor overhead due to data being transferred twice (from storage to memory and then to the network interface card) and require processor involvement for transcoding, which slows down data transmission and other operations.
Innovation Solution
A combined storage and network interface device that allows direct data transfer from storage to the network interface without passing through memory, and incorporates a buffer for transcoding, reducing latency and processor load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is transferred from storage to memory and then to network interface card, then data can be accessed and transmitted, but latency increases and processor overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the storage device and network interface card into a single integrated device, eliminating the need for separate memory transfers. The network interface card is directly coupled to the storage device, allowing data to be transferred directly from storage to network without passing through host memory, thus reducing latency while maintaining transmission reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a direct connection pathway between storage and network interface, bypassing the traditional memory intermediary. This direct coupling creates an efficient data transfer route that eliminates the unnecessary memory transfer step, reducing time loss without compromising data integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If processor is involved in transcoding data, then data can be converted to acceptable format, but processor load increases and transmission speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated device performs transcoding operations autonomously without requiring processor intervention. The network interface card includes built-in transcoding capabilities that automatically convert data to formats suitable for network transmission, enabling the system to serve itself rather than relying on external processor assistance, thus maintaining adaptability while improving transmission speed.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the transcoding function directly into the network interface card, the patent eliminates the need for separate processor-based transcoding operations. This integration allows data format conversion to occur locally within the network interface, reducing processor load and increasing overall transmission productivity while maintaining the ability to adapt to different data formats.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device is disclosed. A storage device may include storage for a data and a controller to manage access to the storage. A network interface device may send the data across a network. A host interface may receive a request for the storage device or the network interface device.