Abstract:
A method and system for managing the transfer of data in parallel through multiple sockets. The present invention facilitates the use of multiple sockets and avoid monopolization of a socket by releasing the socket as soon as data from a client request has been sent to a server application. The present invention also includes a novel socket assignment technique that assigns only available sockets. This novel socket assignment technique avoids bottlenecking and delays due to socket contention and increases efficiency. The socket assignment technique of the present invention can assign sockets using a round robin technique, which assigns a server application to a first available socket, a random technique, which assigns a server application randomly to an available socket, or a user-defined technique, which assigns a thread to an available socket as determined by a user.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates in general to computer networks and more particularly to a parallel data transfer method and system for managing the transfer of data in parallel through multiple sockets. 
   2. Related Art 
   Computer networks are widespread and vitally important to many types of enterprises including businesses, universities and government. In general, a computer network is two or more computers (or associated devices) that are connected by communication facilities. One type of computer network is a client/server network. A client/server network includes a server, which is a computer or a process that provides shared resources to users of the network, and a client, which is a computer or a process that accesses the shared network resources provided by the server using the communication facilities. 
   In general, a client in a client/server network obtains information from a server by sending a request to the server. When the server receives the request, a server application on the server fills the request by obtaining the requested information and sending the information through the network to the client. The Internet (via the World Wide Web (WWW)) is an example of a client/server network. The Internet is a public wide-area network (WAN) environment that enables a client to request and receive data located on a remote server. 
   The server computer includes a network adapter card that physically transmits and receives packets of data between the server computer and a client computer over the network. The server computer also includes server applications that are software for manipulating data. For example, server applications may include database programs, spreadsheets and browsers. Each server application can access the network through the network adapter card. The network adapter card is only a single physical connection between the server computer and the network, but can support multiple virtual connections between the multiple server applications and the card. 
   Each virtual connection between a server application and the network adapter may be divided into three elements. A virtual port is at the network adapter card side of the virtual connection. The network adapter card normally can support multiple virtual ports. An application process (also called a “thread”) is on the other side of the virtual connection. When the application is a server application, the application process is called a server process. The thread can be processed by a processor on the server computer. Each server application may be running several threads, and multiple threads may be processed by the processor simultaneously. 
   A socket is used to connect a thread to a virtual port. A socket is a software object that allows a thread of a server application to communicate with a virtual port of the network adapter card. The procedure of creating a socket between a thread of a server application and a virtual port of the network adapter card is known as “binding” the server application to the socket. When a server application is “bound” to a socket, a connection is made between a thread of the server application and a virtual port of the network adapter card. When this connection is established, the server application is able to communicate with the network adapter card and receive and transmit data over the network. 
   Current socket techniques create a socket and bind a server application to the socket each time a client makes a request to the server. The server application stays bound to the socket from the time the client request is received to the time the server application sends a response to the client. In other words, a single server application monopolizes the socket until the client request is fulfilled. The server receives a client request, determines to which server application the client request is directed, creates a socket, bind the server application to the socket, processes the data and send the data to the client to fulfill the client request. All during this time the server application stays connected to the socket until the client request is fulfilled. 
   One problem with these current socket techniques is that multiple server applications are contending for the single socket. While a single server application monopolizes a socket other server applications are unable to access the network adapter card. This becomes a major bottleneck that can cause a reduction in network performance. 
   Some current socket techniques attempt to avoid this problem by allowing two sockets to be used. In this socket pair technique, one server application is bound to one socket and another server application is bound to the other socket such that a socket pair is formed. The socket pair technique uses a socket assignment procedure to determine which server application is assigned to which socket. 
   One problem with the socket pair technique is that the socket assignment procedure is will assign a socket even if the socket is in use and unavailable. This will cause socket contention and force a server application to wait for the socket to become available. For example, the socket assignment procedure in the socket pair technique will assign the first socket of the socket pair. If this first socket is being used already by a server application, then the procedure will keep trying to acquire the socket. After several attempts the procedure may assign the second socket. However, valuable time is wasted and efficiency decreased because current socket assignment procedures always assign the first socket, even if that socket is not available. Thus, current socket pair techniques do little to alleviate socket contention and bottlenecks and to increase efficiency. 
   Therefore, what is needed is a method and system for managing the transfer of data using a socket that avoids monopolization of the socket by a single server application. What is also needed is a method and system for managing data the transfer of data through multiple sockets that assigns sockets such that server applications are assigned only to available sockets. What also is needed is a method and system for managing the transfer of data through multiple sockets that provides multiple socket binding and assignment within the framework of existing operating systems. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   To overcome the limitations in the prior art as described above and other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention includes a parallel data transfer method and system for managing the transfer of data in parallel through multiple sockets. The present invention allows the use of multiple sockets so that monopolization by a single server application is avoided. The present invention releases a socket as soon as data has been transferred through the socket. This release of the socket means that the socket can be bound to other server applications. Thus, when a client request is sent through a socket to a server application the present invention does not allow the server application to monopolize the socket until the client request has been filled. Instead, the socket is released after the client request is sent to the server application, thereby making the socket available to other server applications. 
   In addition, the present invention includes a novel socket assignment technique that only assigns available sockets. Before assignment, the intended socket is checked to ensure that the socket is not in use. This novel socket assignment technique avoids bottlenecking and delays due to socket contention and increases efficiency. Moreover, the parallel data transfer method and system of the present invention is scalable by adding more sockets as demand increases. The present invention is also easily implemented into current operating systems. 
   The parallel data transfer method of the present invention allows the efficient transfer of data between a computer and a computer network. A virtual connection (or socket) is established between an application process (or “thread”) on the computer and a network adapter card in communication with the computer network. The socket is used to transfer data between a first application process and the network adapter card. When the data is finished transferring, the socket is made available (or released) to other application processes. 
   The present invention also includes creating multiple sockets to allow parallel transfer of data between application processes on the computer and the computer network. Upon request by an application process, that process is assigned to an available socket. In order to determine that the socket is available, a check is made of the socket to ensure that the socket is not being used. Socket assignment is performed using a variety of socket assignment techniques. One such technique is a round robin technique, which assigns available sockets in a round robin manner. Another technique is a random technique, whereby available sockets are assigned randomly. Moreover, a user defined technique may be used whereby an available socket is assigned as defined by a user. 
   The parallel data transfer system of the present invention includes a parallel sockets module that provides parallel data transfer through multiple sockets having application processes bound to each socket. The parallel sockets module includes a module that demultiplexes received network data (such as a client request) and also multiplexes network data that is transmitted from the application through the socket to the network adapter card. In addition, the parallel sockets module includes a binding module capable of binding an application process to a socket and an assignment module that uses a novel socket assignment technique to assign available sockets. 
   Other aspects and advantages of the present invention as well as a more complete understanding thereof will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention. Moreover, it is intended that the scope of the invention be limited by the claims and not by the preceding summary or the following detailed description. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention can be further understood by reference to the following description and attached drawings that illustrate the preferred embodiments. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the present invention. 
     Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout: 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a conventional hardware configuration for use with the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an individual computer system of  FIG. 1  incorporating the present invention and is shown for illustrative purposes only. 
       FIG. 3  is a general block diagram illustrating an overview of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a general block diagram of the parallel sockets module of the present invention shown  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
       FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating the general operation of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   In the following description of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration a specific example whereby the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
   I. Exemplary Operating Environment 
   The following discussion is designed to provide a brief, general description of a suitable environment in which the present invention may be implemented. It should be noted that  FIGS. 1 and 2  depict only one of several ways in which the present invention may be implemented. 
     FIG. 1  illustrates a conventional hardware configuration for use with the present invention. In particular, an enterprise computer system  100  may include one or more networks, such as local area networks (LANs)  105  and  110 . Each of the LANs  105 ,  110  includes a plurality of individual computers  115 ,  120 ,  125 ,  130 ,  135 ,  140 ,  145  and  150 . The computers within the LANs  105 ,  110  may be any suitable computer such as, for example, a personal computer made by International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation, located in Armonk, N.Y. Typically, each of the plurality of individual computers is coupled to storage devices  155 ,  156 ,  157 ,  158  and  159  (such as a disk drive or hard disk) that may be used to store data (such as modules of the present invention) and computer-executable instructions in accordance with the present invention. Each of the plurality of individual computers  115 ,  120 ,  125 ,  130 ,  135 ,  140 ,  145 ,  150  also may be coupled to an output device  160  (such as a printer) for producing tangible output. The LANs  105 ,  110  may be coupled via a first communication link  165  to a communication controller  170 , and from the communication controller  170  through a second communication link  175  to a gateway server  180 . The gateway server  180  is preferably a personal computer that serves to link the LAN  105  to the LAN  110 . 
   The computer system  100  may also include a plurality of mainframe computers, such as a mainframe computer  185 , which may be in communication with one or more of the LANs  105 ,  110  by means of a third communication link  190 . The mainframe computer  185  is typically coupled to a storage device  195  that is capable of serving as a remote storage for one or more of the LANs  105 ,  110 . Similar to the LANs  105 ,  110  discussed above, the storage device may be used to store data and computer-executable instructions in accordance with the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mainframe computer  185 , the LAN  105  and the LAN  110  may be physically located a great distance from each other. By way of example, a user may use a client system of the mainframe computer  185  to access information located on a server of the LAN  105 . 
     FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an individual computer system (such as a network server computer) of  FIG. 1  incorporating the present invention and is shown for illustrative purposes only. A computer  200  includes any suitable central processing unit (CPU)  210 , such as a standard microprocessor, and any number of other objects interconnected by a system bus  212 . For purposes of illustration, the computer  200  includes memory such as random-access memory (RAM)  214 , read-only memory (ROM)  216 , and storage devices (such as hard disk or disk drives  220 ) connected to the system bus  212  by an input/output (I/O) adapter  218 . The computer  200  may be a network server that is capable of connecting and interacting with a plurality of client machines over a communication channel (such as a network  221 ). Moreover, the network server is able to receive network requests from the plurality of client machines and serve up requested data to the client machines. Accordingly, as shown in  FIG. 2 , at least one of the memory devices (such as the RAM  214 , ROM  216 , and hard disk or disk drives  220 ) contains a parallel sockets module  222  in accordance with the present invention that contains computer-executable instructions for carrying out the present invention. As explained in detail below, the parallel sockets module  222  enables the present invention to manage the transfer data of using multiple sockets, and also includes a novel socket assignment technique for assigning a server application to a socket. 
   The computer  200  may further include a display adapter  226  for connecting the system bus  212  to a suitable display device  228 . In addition, a user interface adapter  236  is capable of connecting the system bus  212  to other user interface devices, such as a keyboard  240 , a speaker  246 , a mouse  250  and a touchpad (not shown). In a preferred embodiment, a graphical user interface (GUI) and an operating system (OS) reside within a computer-readable media and contain device drivers that allow one or more users to manipulate object icons and text on the display device  228 . Any suitable computer-readable media may retain the GUI and OS, such as, for example, the RAM  214 , ROM  216 , hard disk or disk drives  220  (such as magnetic diskette, magnetic tape, CD-ROM, optical disk or other suitable storage media). 
   II. General Overview and Components of the Invention 
   The parallel sockets module  222  of the present invention provides parallel data transfer through multiple sockets. For example, the parallel data transfer may occur when a server receives client requests from a plurality of client machines and then processes each request using different server applications. The present invention allows the threads of these different server applications to be bound to a corresponding socket. Alternatively, multiple threads of a single server application may be bound to a corresponding socket.  FIG. 3  is a general block diagram illustrating an overview of the present invention. In particular, a plurality of client machines (client  1 , client  2 , client  3  to client N) are connected to a server  300  through a network  310 . It should be noted that N may be any number and even though four clients are shown in  FIG. 3 , any number of clients may be used. 
   The plurality of client machines access the server  300  through an access channel  320  that in communication with the network  310 . In a preferred embodiment, the access channel  320  includes multiple virtual ports that are in communication with a network adapter card. In this manner, data may be transferred through a socket through the access channel to the network adapter card and out over the network  310 . The plurality of client machines is able to request and receive data from the server  300  through the access channel  320 . The server  300  also includes the parallel sockets module  222  of the present invention that enables parallel data transfer through the multiple sockets. 
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , multiple sockets (a first socket, a second socket, a third socket and a N th  socket) are bound to the access channel  320 . In addition, each of the multiple sockets is capable of having at least one corresponding thread that is bound to a particular socket. Each of these threads may be associated with a single server application or each thread may be associated with a different server application. It should be noted that although  FIG. 3  illustrates one thread per socket, multiple threads per socket could be used. Moreover, there may be situations where sockets are available and there are no threads bound to a socket. In addition to binding the multiple sockets to the access channel  320 , the parallel sockets module  222  also uses a novel socket assignment technique to assign a thread to an available socket. 
   The present invention releases a socket as soon as data has been transferred through the socket. As soon as data is finished transferring through a socket the socket is released. This allows the socket to be bound to other server applications. For example, when a client request is sent through a socket to a server application the present invention does not allow the server application to monopolize the socket until the client request has been filled. Instead, the socket is released after the client request is sent to the server application, thereby making the socket available to other server applications. 
     FIG. 4  is a general block diagram of the parallel sockets module  222  of the present invention shown  FIGS. 2 and 3 . In particular, the parallel socket module  222  includes a network data processor  400  that divides network data into separate data units (such as packets). Because the network data is transmitted to and received from the network  310  through a network adapter card, both the incoming and outgoing network data must be serialized. Thus, the network data processor  400  must demultiplex incoming network data (in order to facilitate parallel data transfer) and must multiplex outgoing network data (in order to facilitate its transmission over the network  310 ). This demultiplexing is performed by dividing the network data into separate network requests (such as client requests). For example, when the network data processor  400  receives a plurality of client requests in the form of packets the network data processor  400  demultiplexes them into separate requests from different clients. Moreover, when network data is transmitted from the server  300  through the access channel  320 , the data is multiplexed by the network data processor  400  before being sent out over the network  310 . 
   The parallel sockets module  222  also includes an assignment module  410  for assigning a server application thread to an available socket. As explained in detail below, the assignment module  410  uses novel assignment technique to assign threads only to available sockets. Once a thread has been assigned to an available socket, a binding module  420  binds the thread to the assigned socket. 
   III. Operational Overview and Working Example 
   In general, the operation of the present invention provides for the parallel transfer of data through multiple sockets. The parallelizing of data transfer is accomplished by using a multi-thread operating system architecture, allowing multiple sockets and binding at least one thread to each available socket as needed. The method of the present invention is scalable, provides efficient support for multi-thread operating systems, and can be implemented within the framework of existing operating systems. 
     FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating the general operation of the present invention. First, network data is divided into separate data units (box  500 ), such as packets. If the network data is incoming from the network adapter card, this step demultiplexes the network data into data units. Next, upon request a thread is assigned to an available one of the multiple sockets (box  510 ) and the thread is then bound to the assigned socket (box  520 ). Finally, at least one of the data units is transferred using the socket and the thread assigned to the socket (box  530 ). 
   The socket assignment technique of the present invention includes assigning a thread to an available socket. This assignment may be accomplished in a variety of techniques, including random, user-defined and, in a preferred embodiment, a round robin technique. The round robin technique assigns each thread to a first available socket. The random technique assigns a thread randomly to an available one of the plurality of sockets. The user-defined technique assigns a thread to an available one of the plurality of sockets as determined by a user. This may include, for example, every other socket, every third socket, or any other scheme determined by the user. 
   In order to illustrate the above method of the present invention, a working example is presented. It should be noted that this example is only one of many implementations of the present invention that is possible, and is provided for illustrative purpose only. In order to provide a technique is scalable to handle high-volume traffic, incoming client requests must be demultiplexed into separate client requests. In this working example, a port and a local IP address (LIA) are used such that multiple socket may be bound to each. The kernel of the operating system must be able to support a socket implementation that allows efficient demultiplexing of the incoming request to the port and the LIA. The server then has multiple instantiations of sockets bound to the port and the LIA, with each socket servicing a different client that is accessing the socket pair. 
   In order for the multi-thread, multi-socket technique of the present invention to be scalable, both the transmission and reception of data by the server must be parallized. In order to use multiple sockets bound to the port and the LIA, a reusable socket option was used. This option permits sockets to be reused. Transmitting data is then achieved by having thread serve one socket and transmitting data through the thread&#39;s corresponding socket (which is bound to the same LIA and port) in parallel. 
   For the reception of data, a round robin technique of assigning sockets to processing threads was used. When a request was received at a LIA and port combination, the request could potentially be serviced by any of the sockets bound to the LIA and port combination and the socket&#39;s corresponding thread. A round robin assignment technique is preferred because the client requests then are distributed evenly among the available sockets (and corresponding threads) thereby providing scalability by design. It is the server&#39;s responsibility to determine how to respond to each network request received through any of these sockets. Because all the sockets are serving the same LIA and port combination, theoretically it does not matter how the server handles the data request or transmission once the request reaches the server. 
   Although a round robin assignment technique was used in this example, the present invention also includes other types of assignment techniques, such as random or user-defined. In this working example a round robin assignment technique was used because it required minimal modifications. All that was necessary was to use a round robin assignment technique instead of the current first fit assignment technique (or assigning the thread to the first socket). This means that virtually no change to the socket application programming interface (API) is needed. Moreover, minimal requirements are imposed on applications. Applications can incorporate scalability by using the reusable socket option available for most operating systems and extending the implementation of the application&#39;s functionality to encompass multiple threads. The application, however, is responsible to map the data received on a reused socket to the appropriate thread. 
   The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description of the invention, but rather by the claims appended hereto.