Unified Data Plane and Control Queue Configuration for Shared Network Adapters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data connection configurations between a host and a shared network adapter require separate control and data planes, making synchronization challenging and inefficient in terms of CPU cycles and network I/O costs, especially for large data transfers.

Innovation Solution

A data device with both control queues and data queues integrated into a single plane, allowing control commands to configure the data plane and enabling efficient data exchange using these queues for transmit and receive packets, while allowing the data plane to be deactivated without impacting the control plane.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate control and data planes are used, then control and data functions are independent, but synchronization becomes challenging and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol plane independenceVSAvoidsynchronization complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines separate control and data planes into a unified data connection configuration where control queues and data queues operate within an integrated framework. This allows the host to manage both control commands and data transfers through a single configuration interface, reducing synchronization complexity while maintaining functional independence through logical separation of queue types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If large amounts of data are transferred, then data throughput increases, but CPU cycles and network I/O costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata throughputVSAvoidCPU cycle consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service mechanisms where the shared network adapter autonomously manages data transfer operations once configured by the host. The adapter handles packet routing, queue management, and data movement without requiring continuous CPU intervention, allowing large data transfers to proceed with minimal CPU cycle consumption and reduced network I/O costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If data plane is deactivated, then data transfer stops, but control plane functionality should remain operational

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata plane controlVSAvoidcontrol plane availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data connection into distinct control queues and data queues that can be independently activated or deactivated. This segmentation allows the control plane to remain operational while the data plane is deactivated, enabling control commands to be exchanged without transferring data, thereby maintaining control plane availability while adapting data transfer states as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11979459B1Configuration of data connections between a host and a shared network adapter

Publication Date: 2024.05.07 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

The embodiments herein describe configuring a data device that enables communication between a host and a shared network adapter. The data device can include data connections between the host and the shared network adapter. The data device can have both control queues in a control plane and data queues in a data plane. The control queues can be activated first in order to issue control commands to configure the data plane in the shared network adapter.