Virtual Media Device in Fabric Switch for High-Speed Data Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for sharing virtual media in composed systems burden the management network with lower-speed interconnects, leading to inefficiencies in media data access and transfer across compute nodes.
Innovation Solution
Generating a virtual media device within a switch of the fabric in a composed system, associating media data with it, and sending it to compute nodes via high-speed interconnects, thereby reducing network load and enhancing data transfer speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If media data is transferred through the management network, then system compatibility is maintained, but data transfer speed is limited due to lower-speed interconnects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fabric network as an intermediary data transfer path between storage devices and compute nodes. The fabric network acts as a mediator that handles media data transfers independently from the management network, allowing high-speed data transfer while keeping the management network for control functions. This resolves the contradiction by providing a dedicated high-speed path without complicating the management network architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network functions by separating management network traffic from data transfer traffic. The management network handles control and management functions, while the fabric network handles media data transfers. This segmentation allows each network to be optimized for its specific purpose, achieving high data transfer speeds without compromising management network simplicity.
2Productivity
If virtual media devices are created on each compute node, then media access is independent, but system resource utilization is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple virtual media device instances into a single shared virtual media device on the fabric network. Instead of creating separate virtual media devices on each compute node, the system creates one virtual media device that can be accessed by multiple compute nodes through the fabric network. This merging approach improves resource utilization efficiency while maintaining ease of access through the standardized virtual device interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared virtual media device on the fabric network serves multiple compute nodes simultaneously, providing universal access to media data. This multi-functional virtual device can be accessed by any compute node that needs it, eliminating the need for duplicate virtual media devices on each node while maintaining simple access procedures through the unified interface.
3Productivity
If high-speed interconnects are used for media data transfer, then data transfer efficiency improves, but the management network becomes overloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric network serves as an intermediary that takes over the media data transfer workload from the management network. By introducing this intermediate layer, high-speed data transfers occur through the fabric network using high-speed interconnects, while the management network remains dedicated to control functions and experiences reduced load and energy consumption.
4Speed
If media data is stored locally on each compute node, then access speed is fast, but system storage resource utilization is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges storage resources into a centralized or shared storage system accessible through the fabric network. Instead of duplicating media data across multiple local storage devices on different compute nodes, the system consolidates storage resources and provides access through the high-speed fabric network, achieving both fast access and efficient utilization of total storage capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
Shared virtual media in a composed system, including generating, in a switch of a fabric of the composed system, a virtual media device; associating media data with the virtual media device; and sending, by the switch, via the fabric, to one or more compute nodes of the composed system, the media data.