Network Adapter VLAN Segmentation for RDMA TCP Traffic
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed Ethernet transfers in modern server systems overburden the CPU due to the need for processing within the OS kernel's networking stack, particularly in servers handling bulk traffic, and existing solutions for handling multiple protocols on limited I/O expansion slots are inefficient, as they often require additional adapters or compromise performance.
Innovation Solution
A network adapter configuration using virtual local area network (VLAN) devices on multiple physical ports, allowing concurrent RDMA and TCP protocol communication, with VLAN devices logically bonded as a virtual device to segregate and manage traffic effectively, enabling active-active or active-backup modes for failover and performance optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If TCP/IP data transfers require processing within the OS kernel's networking stack, then network communication functionality is achieved, but CPU load increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network communication functions by creating separate VLAN devices for different protocols (RDMA and TCP). Each VLAN device handles specific protocol traffic independently, allowing RDMA traffic to bypass the OS kernel's networking stack and reduce CPU load while maintaining TCP communication functionality through dedicated VLAN interfaces.
2Productivity
If separate adapters are used for each protocol (RDMA and TCP), then protocol performance is optimized, but device complexity and I/O slot requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by configuring a single network adapter to handle both RDMA and TCP protocols simultaneously through VLAN segmentation. The adapter's multiple physical ports are divided into separate VLAN devices, each dedicated to a specific protocol, allowing one adapter to perform the functions previously requiring separate dedicated adapters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges RDMA and TCP communication capabilities into a single network adapter by creating logically bonded virtual devices. Multiple physical ports are combined and segmented into VLAN devices that can be assigned to different protocols, consolidating hardware resources while maintaining protocol-specific performance.
3Use of energy by moving object
If multiple physical ports are used for protocol segregation, then CPU load is reduced through RDMA bypass, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces VLAN devices as intermediary layers between physical network ports and protocol applications. These virtual VLAN interfaces act as mediators that segment traffic from multiple physical ports and direct them to appropriate protocol handlers, simplifying the mapping between physical hardware and logical protocol requirements while enabling efficient RDMA bypass.
Data Source
AI summary
A network adapter has a first and second virtual local area network (“VLAN”) device configured on each of first and second physical ports of the network adapter. The second VLAN devices are configured as a logically bonded, virtual device.