TOE-Based Network Interface Device for Server Data Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high-speed network environments, server devices experience performance degradation and communication delays due to the significant CPU load from handling TCP/IP operations, particularly when dealing with large volumes of data communication with multiple user terminals.
Innovation Solution
A TOE-based network interface device and server device configuration that processes control and data commands through separate paths, utilizing a TOE library to offload TCP/IP operations from the CPU, thereby reducing memory usage and optimizing resource allocation for improved data processing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the CPU handles TCP/IP operations directly, then the system can process data communication, but the CPU load increases significantly causing performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts TCP/IP processing functions from the CPU and implements them as a dedicated hardware TOE (TCP/IP Offload Engine). The TOE includes a packet processor that handles packet construction, TCP segment assembly, and protocol processing independently from the CPU, thereby reducing CPU load while maintaining data processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the data processing path into separate control paths and data paths. The control command path handles TOE configuration and state management, while the data command path handles actual packet data processing. This segmentation allows optimized resource allocation and reduces the burden on any single processing unit.
2Productivity
If TCP data is buffered in the network interface device, then data processing can be performed, but memory usage in the network interface device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a host device as an intermediary between the TOE and the data buffer. The host device buffers TCP data and provides this buffered data to the TOE for processing. This intermediary approach allows the TOE to process data without requiring large amounts of onboard memory, as the buffering function is distributed to the host device's memory.
3Productivity
If separate paths are used for control commands and data commands, then resource allocation can be optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements separate control command paths and data command paths within the TOE. The control command path includes a control unit that receives and processes control commands for TOE configuration, while the data command path includes a packet processor that handles actual data packets. This segmentation enables optimized resource allocation for different processing types.
Solution Approach 2:
The TOE library serves as a universal interface that handles both control commands and data commands through standardized processing mechanisms. The library provides unified error handling, logging, and resource management across both paths, reducing the actual complexity despite the separate processing routes.
Data Source
AI summary
A server device includes: a server device may include a host device configured to hook a control command and a data command to a TCP/IP Offload Engine (TOE) library, process the control command through a first path, and process the dada command through a second path that is different from the first path and shares information for a TCP session with the first path; and a TOE-based network interface device configured to receive the control command and the data command, and generate a TCP packet by performing a TCP operation.