Teamed Network Adapters Offload Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing computer systems with multiple Network Interface Cards (NICs) is challenging, especially in unstable network configurations, as it becomes difficult to maintain network stability and ensure fault tolerance.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising teamed network adapters that offload connections, allowing a central processing unit to reload connections between adapters if necessary, ensuring continuous operation even during network reconfigurations or failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple NICs are used to increase network throughput and fault tolerance, then network reliability is improved, but system complexity and difficulty of management increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple NICs into a single teamed network adapter unit, presenting them as one logical interface to the operating system. This merging approach maintains the reliability benefits of multiple physical adapters while simplifying management by reducing the number of individual devices that need to be configured and monitored.
Solution Approach 2:
The teamed network adapter provides multiple functions: it acts as a single logical interface for the OS, distributes traffic across multiple physical NICs for load balancing, and provides automatic failover capability. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by delivering both reliability and simplified management simultaneously.
2Adaptability or versatility
If network configuration is unstable, then adaptability to changing conditions is improved, but packet delivery reliability deteriorates due to out-of-order packets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the teamed network adapter continuously monitors packet delivery status and connection health across all member NICs. When packets are received out of order or a NIC fails, the system detects this condition and automatically adjusts by reloading connections onto alternative NICs, thereby maintaining packet delivery reliability despite configuration changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The teamed network adapter dynamically adjusts connection assignments among member NICs based on real-time conditions. When network configuration changes or packets arrive out of order, the system dynamically reloads connections onto different NICs, providing adaptability while maintaining reliability through active monitoring and adjustment.
3Speed
If connections are offloaded to network adapters for efficient packet transfer, then processing speed is improved, but ability to handle adapter failures or reconfigurations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by maintaining connection state information and capability to reload connections on all teamed NICs before failures occur. When a NIC fails or reconfiguration is needed, the system can immediately reload the offloaded connection onto another NIC without significant interruption, thus maintaining both high speed and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
When a NIC failure or reconfiguration event occurs, the patent discards the failed connection assignment and recovers by reloading the connection onto a different NIC in the team. This allows the system to maintain continuous high-speed packet transfer by quickly recovering from adapter failures without permanent loss of connection state.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system that comprises a central processing unit (CPU) and a first and second network adapter that are teamed together is disclosed. The network adapters in the team may be adapted to offload connections to transfer a plurality of packets. A program, executing on the CPU, may reload an offloaded connection established by the first network adapter onto the second network adapter if one of a plurality of packets associated with the offloaded connection was received on the second network adapter.