Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer-to-computer data routing
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-19
2003-08-26
Burgess, Glenton B. (Department: 2153)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer-to-computer data routing
C709S250000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06611870
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a server device and a communication connection scheme suitable for a Web server.
2. Description of the Background Art
In conjunction with the rapid progress of information sharing utilizing the World Wide Web, the amount of data outputted from a Web server to a network has been increasing. Conventionally, a Web server often consists of a general purpose computer such as workstation or PC.
The main function of a Web server is to convert the contents of a file stored in a memory device, such as a disk device, into a prescribed format and outputting it to the network. This function largely relies on a program for moving data within memory rather than on computations by a processor. Also, in general the amount of data handled by a Web server is far larger than that of the cache memory of a processor, so that the data cannot be accommodated within the cache memory of a processor.
In view of these factors, the realization of a Web server by a general purpose computer relies on data transfer power, so that it is impossible to realize sufficient performance when the memory bandwidth is small. Consequently, in order to realize sufficient Web server performance, it is essential to expand the memory bandwidth.
However it has been practically difficult to expand the memory bandwidth of such a general purpose computer because the memory bandwidth in such a general purpose computer is determined by the number of pins, which dictates how much data can be read out in parallel in the memory (usually implemented in the form of SIMM (Single In-line Memory Module) connected to a memory controller). The number of pins in the memory controller is limited so that it has been difficult from a viewpoint of cost to increase the size of data that can be read out in parallel by modifying the number of pins.
On the other hand, in order to expand the memory bandwidth, methods exist for providing a plurality of servers on the network. However, according to these methods, it is necessary to provide a plurality of server machines so that the cost also increases. Also, the load distribution among Web servers provided on the network is not preferable, since it leads to the degradation of system performance, due to the traffic required for the purpose of the load distribution on the network.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a server device and a communication connection scheme capable of expanding the memory bandwidth and thereby expanding the power to transmit Web data to the network by adding some hardware to a general purpose computer.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a server device, comprising: a main machine having a main processor for controlling the main machine, and a main memory for storing server data; and a plurality of network interface processor units connected to the main machine, each network interface processor unit having a local processor for controlling each network interface processor unit independently from the main machine, a local memory for storing a part of the server data, and a local network controller for communicating with an external device through a network, wherein the local processor controls the local memory and the local network controller such that a data requested by the external device is transmitted to the external device from the local memory through the local network controller when the requested data is stored in the local memory and a prescribed condition is satisfied, and requests transfer of the requested data to the main machine when the requested data is not stored in the local memory or the prescribed condition is not satisfied such that the requested data read out from the main memory is transmitted to the external device through the local network controller.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a network interface processor device to be connected to a main machine of the server device having a main processor for controlling the main machine and a main memory for storing server data, the network interface processor device comprising: a local processor for controlling each network interface processor unit independently from the main machine; a local memory for storing a part of the server data; and a local network controller for communicating with an external device through a network; wherein the local processor controls the local memory and the local network controller such that a data requested by the external device is transmitted to the external device from the local memory through the local network controller when the requested data is stored in the local memory and a prescribed condition is satisfied, and requests transfer of the requested data to the main machine when the requested data is not stored in the local memory or the prescribed condition is not satisfied such that the requested data read out from the main memory is transmitted to the external device through the local network controller.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a communication method for a server device formed by a main machine having a main processor for controlling the main machine and a main memory for storing server data, and a plurality of network interface processor units connected to the main machine, each network interface processor unit having a local processor for controlling each network interface processor unit independently from the main machine, a local memory, and a local network controller for communicating through a network, the method comprising the steps of: setting up each network interface processor unit by storing a part of the server data in the local memory; transmitting a data requested by an external device to the external device from the local memory through the local network controller when the requested data is stored in the local memory and a prescribed condition is satisfied, at one of the network interface processor units; and requesting transfer of the requested data to the main machine when the requested data is not stored in the local memory or the prescribed condition is not satisfied, and transmitting the requested data read out from the main memory to the external device through the local network controller, at said one of the network interface processor units.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an article of manufacture, comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied therein for causing a computer to function as a network interface processor device to be connected to a main machine of the server device having a main processor for controlling the main machine and a main memory for storing server data, the network interface processor device having a local processor for controlling each network interface processor unit independently from the main machine, a local memory for storing a part of the server data, and a local network controller for communicating with an external device through a network, the computer readable program code means includes: first computer readable program code means for causing said computer to transmit a data requested by the external device to the external device from the local memory through the local network controller when the requested data is stored in the local memory and a prescribed condition is satisfied; and second computer readable program code means for causing said computer to request transfer of the requested data to the main machine when the requested data is not stored in the local memory or the prescribed condition is not satisfied, and transmit the requested data read out from the main memory to the external device through the local network controller.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an article of manufacture, comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied therein for causing a computer to function as a main
Asano Shigehiro
Kanai Tatsunori
Kanno Shin-ichi
Maeda Seiji
Burgess Glenton B.
Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
Kupstas Tod
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