Patent Publication Number: US-9886331-B2

Title: Network traffic processing

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of integrated circuits, and more particularly to energy conservation when processing network traffic. 
     Performance coupled with energy consumption and efficiency are important topics when considering a network traffic processing architecture. big.LITTLE™ is a System-on-Chip (SoC) architecture that combines the usage of a pair of processors on a single chip. The larger processor (i.e., big) is a powerful processor for handling high peaks and high volume traffic. The second, a smaller processor (i.e., LITTLE), is a lower power processor for processing lower volume traffic. When the SoC is performing networking operations, the integrated circuit may also be referred to as a Network-on-a-Chip (NoC). What is needed are methods for switching between the larger and smaller processors that conserves energy, particularly when processing variable network traffic. 
     SUMMARY 
     As disclosed herein a method, executed by a computer, for providing improved multi-protocol traffic processing includes receiving a data packet, determining if a big processor is activated, deactivating a little processor and activating the big processor if the big processor is not activated and an overflow queue is full, and deactivating the big processor and activating the little processor if the big processor is activated and a current throughput for the big processor is below a first threshold or a sustained throughput for the big processor remains below a second threshold. The big and little processors may be co-located on a single integrated circuit, and part of a NoC architecture. An overflow queue, managed with a token bucket algorithm, may be used to enable the little processor to handle short bursts of data packet traffic. A computer program product and an apparatus corresponding to the described method are also disclosed herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of network interface system in which at least some of the embodiments disclosed herein may be deployed; 
         FIG. 2  is a flowchart depicting one embodiment of a data packet processing method; 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart depicting one embodiment of a network utilization monitoring method; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating a specific example of network traffic processing with two processors; and 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram depicting various components of one embodiment of a computer suitable for executing the methods disclosed herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     When considering current networking architecture, there is often a trade-off between energy conservation and performance. When a Network-on-a-Chip (NoC) architecture is used, two processors are often co-located on a single integrated circuit for handling network data packets. Network utilization along with the rate at which data packets arrive determine which of the two processors is activated; a larger (i.e., higher performance and higher energy consuming) processor or a smaller (i.e., lower performance and more energy efficient) processor. Current technology relies on predictive algorithms to determine when a switch between the large and little processors may be advantageous. It has been observed that during fluctuations in network utilization there may be unnecessary switches between the two processors, compromising energy efficiency and performance. The embodiments disclosed herein provide a network traffic processing method that reduces unnecessary switches between the two processors on the NoC. 
       FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of a network interface system  100 . As depicted, the network interface system  100  includes a Network-on-a-Chip  105 , a big processor  110 , a little processor  120 , a processing control unit  130 , shared memory  140 , an overflow queue  144 , a bus interface  150 , a bus  160 , a network interface  170 , and a network  180 . The network interface system  100  is one example of an environment in which at least some of the embodiments disclosed herein may be deployed. 
     The Network-on-a-Chip  105  is an integrated circuit that may contain a big processor  110 , a little processor  120 , a processing control unit  130 , shared memory  140 , an overflow queue  144 , a bus interface  150 , a network interface  170 , and the like. A big processor  110  and little processor  120  may be network processors, co-located on a single integrated circuit, capable of handling a data packet. A data packet may be received from the network  180  via the network interface  170 . The network  180  may be a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or a combination of the two, and can include wired, wireless, or fiber optic connections. Alternatively, the data packet may have been received via the bus  160  and bus interface  150 . 
     The processing control unit  130  may manage the operation of the big processor  110  and the little processor  120 . The processing control unit  130  may also control the shared memory  140  as well as the computer&#39;s arithmetic operations, logic operations and interval timers. In one embodiment, the processing control unit  130  detects a high volume of network traffic, and as a result, activates the big processor and deactivates the little processor. Alternatively, when the network traffic subsides, the processing control unit  130  activates the little processor and deactivates the big processor. 
     The shared memory  140  may be accessible by the big processor  110  and the little processor  120 . The shared memory  140  may contain an overflow queue  144 . If the rate of data packet arrival is greater than what can be processed, the data packet may be placed on the overflow queue  144  and remain on the overflow queue  144  until either the big processor  110  or the little processor  120  is able to process the data packet. 
     In one example, a user may be using FTP to send a file over a network from one computer to a community server. The receiving computer is simultaneously receiving data from multiple users, and initially is able to handle the network traffic using the little processor, but eventually has to switch to the big processor to keep up with the incoming data. In another example, a user sends an email to a colleague. The email is sent using email protocols (e.g., POP, IMAP, and SMTP). The little processor is able to handle the data packets corresponding to the email without activating the big processor. 
       FIG. 2  is a flowchart depicting one embodiment of a data packet processing method  200 . As depicted, data packet processing method  200  includes receiving ( 210 ) a data packet, determining ( 220 ) whether a big processor is active, determining ( 230 ) whether a data packet arrival rate is greater than a first threshold, determining ( 240 ) whether the current data packet is urgent, activating ( 250 ) the big processor and deactivating the little processor, determining ( 260 ) whether the a data packet arrival rate is greater than a second threshold, placing ( 270 ) the data packet on the overflow queue, and transmitting ( 280 ) the data packet. The data packet processing method  200  may be a continuously running operation that enables a network interface to receive a data packet and transmit the packet to a destination. 
     Receiving ( 210 ) a data packet may include a data packet arriving on the NoC. The data packet may arrive from the network, such as a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN). Alternatively, the data packet may arrive from the bus via the bus interface. Supported packet based protocols may include TCP/IP, IPX, UDP, or the like. 
     Determining ( 220 ) whether a big processor is active may include confirming if the big processor is currently enabled. In one embodiment, a flag is checked to determine if the big processor is currently active. In another embodiment, an internal register is checked to discover if the big processor is currently active. If the big processor is currently active, the method  200  proceeds to the transmit operation  280 . Otherwise, the method proceeds to determining ( 230 ) whether a data packet arrival rate is greater than a first threshold. 
     Determining ( 230 ) whether a data packet arrival rate is greater than a first threshold may include comparing the current data packet arrival rate with a first threshold value. The first threshold value may be a predetermined system utilization percentage. In one embodiment, the first threshold corresponds to the maximum throughput capability of the little processor. In another embodiment, the first threshold corresponds to a percentage of the maximum throughput capability of the little processor (e.g., 95%). If the rate of data packet arrival is greater than the first threshold, the method  200  proceeds to the determining ( 240 ) whether the current data packet is urgent. Otherwise, the method proceeds to the transmit operation  280 . 
     Determining ( 240 ) whether the current data packet is urgent may include confirming if the originator of the data packet identified the contents of the data packet as an urgent data packet (i.e., low-latency data). In one embodiment, there may be a flag within the data packet header that identifies the contents of the packet as urgent data. For example, a user may be streaming live video which requires low-latency. At the same time, the user may be downloading a file from a webpage. The live video may require minimal delay, while the download of the file may not be affected by delays. If the current data packet is urgent, the method  200  proceeds to the big processor activation operation  250 . Otherwise, the method proceeds to determine whether the data packet arrival rate is greater than a second threshold  260 . 
     Activating ( 250 ) the big processor and deactivating the little processor may include enabling the big processor to begin processing data packets. This may also include disabling the little processor. Once enabled, the big processor may initially process any urgent data packets. The big processor may also process any packets that are contained in the overflow queue, and subsequently proceed with processing the incoming data packets. 
     Determining ( 260 ) whether a data packet arrival rate is greater than a second threshold may include comparing the current data packet arrival rate with a second threshold value. The second threshold value may be predetermined based on the maximum throughput of the little processor with an overflow queue, over a selected time interval. Alternatively, the second threshold may also be expressed in terms of a utilization percentage over a selected time interval. For example, the second threshold may be calculated using the total capacity of an overflow queue and the maximum throughput capability of the little processor divided by a selected time interval. The selected time interval may correspond to an interrupt rate for a packet processing routine or a latency for a maximum sized packet. 
     The overflow queue contents are referenced using a queue index. The queue index may be managed by a token bucket algorithm, where one token is available for each slot in the queue. The token bucket size (i.e., number of tokens) may be dependent on the available shared memory on the integrated circuit. If the rate of data packet arrival is greater than the second threshold, the method  200  proceeds to the big processor activation operation  250 . Otherwise, the method proceeds to the queue operation  270 . 
     Placing ( 270 ) the data packet in the overflow queue may include obtaining a token ID from a token bucket and placing the data packet in an overflow queue at a location corresponding to the token. The data packet will be held in the overflow queue until a processor is available. Each time a data packet is placed on the overflow queue, a token is removed from the token bucket (e.g., t−−, where t may be a token ID (i.e., counter) representing the number of unused tokens available in the bucket). If the token counter reaches zero, the overflow queue is full. Each time a data packet is removed from the overflow queue, the token counter is incremented (e.g., t++), indicating additional available space in the overflow queue. 
     Transmitting ( 280 ) the data packet may include either the big processor or the little processor processing a data packet and sending the data packet to a destination. In one embodiment, the destination is another computer on a network such as an intranet or internetwork using wired, wireless, or fiber optic connections. In another embodiment, the destination is the current host of the network interface and the data packet is delivered via the internal bus interface and the bus. 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart depicting one embodiment of a network utilization monitoring method  300 . As depicted, the network utilization monitoring method  300  includes reading ( 310 ) the current system network utilization, determining ( 320 ) whether current utilization is greater than a second threshold, cancelling ( 330 ) a timer, determining ( 340 ) whether the utilization is between a first threshold and a second threshold, triggering ( 350 ) a timer, determining ( 360 ) whether the little processor can handle the data packet traffic, and activating ( 370 ) the little processor. The network utilization monitoring method  300  is a process that may be enabled when the big processor is activated. The method may be iteratively invoked on a preconfigured schedule until the big processor is deactivated. The method enables the NoC to monitor system network utilization and determine when switching to the little processor may be advantageous. 
     Reading ( 310 ) the current system network utilization may include using system commands to query current system utilization. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that there are numerous different architecture and software configurations; thus, there are many ways to determine system network utilization. In one embodiment, a network analysis application is used to determine the current system network utilization. In another embodiment, in a unix environment, a system command such as netstat are used to monitor network traffic and calculate current system network utilization. 
     Determining ( 320 ) whether current utilization is greater than a second threshold may include comparing the current throughput (i.e., current utilization) with a second threshold. The second threshold may be a predetermined utilization percentage. For example, the second threshold may be calculated using the maximum throughput of the little processor plus the size of the overflow queue divided by a selected time interval. If the current utilization is greater than the second threshold, indicating that the current data packet traffic may overrun the little processor, the method  300  proceeds to the cancel timer operation  330 . Otherwise, the method proceeds to determine whether the utilization is between a first threshold and a second threshold operation  340 . 
     Cancelling ( 330 ) a timer may include determining if an interval timer is currently in use. If an interval timer is in use, the interval timer will be cancelled, preventing the interval timer from running to completion. A cancelled interval timer may indicate the utilization rose above the second threshold prior to the utilization timer running to completion. A lapsed utilization timer may indicate the interval passed without the utilization rising above the second threshold. In one embodiment, the current interval timer is cancelled, and an indicator is set to indicate the timer was cancelled and did not lapse normally. 
     Determining ( 340 ) whether the utilization is between a first threshold and a second threshold may include comparing the current throughput (i.e., current utilization) with a first threshold and comparing the current utilization with a second threshold. If the current utilization is between the first threshold and the second threshold (i.e., first threshold&lt;current utilization&lt;second threshold), the method  300  proceeds to the trigger a timer operation  350 . Otherwise, the method proceeds to determine ( 360 ) if the little processor can handle the data packet traffic. 
     Triggering ( 350 ) a timer may include starting a timer that is used to identify the beginning and end of an interval over which the system network utilization will be monitored. A timer may be controlled by the processing control unit contained on the NoC. In one embodiment, the timer is a countdown timer, and a lapsed countdown timer (i.e., a timer that has run to completion) indicates the system utilization has not risen above the second threshold during the timer interval. When a timer runs to completion, an indicator may be set to signal the timer completed normally. A cancelled timer may indicate the utilization rose above the second threshold prior to the timer lapsing. 
     Determining ( 360 ) whether the little processor can handle the data packet traffic may include verifying the current utilization is below a first threshold. The first threshold value may be a predetermined system utilization percentage. Additionally the little processor may be able to handle the data packet traffic if an interval timer has lapsed without being cancelled. A lapsed interval timer indicates the utilization has been at a sustained level between the second threshold and the first threshold, and the data packet traffic may be handled by the little processor in conjunction with the overflow queue. If the little processor can handle the data packet traffic the method  300  proceeds to activating ( 370 ) the little processor. Otherwise, the method iterates to the read utilization operation  310 . 
     Activating ( 370 ) the little processor may include enabling the little processor to begin processing data packets. The operation may also include deactivating the big processor. Once enabled, the little processor may begin processing the incoming data packets. If the data packet arrival rate is greater than the maximum throughput of the little processor, a token bucket algorithm may be used to place the overflow data in the overflow queue. After the little processor is activated, the network utilization monitoring method  300  may terminate. 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating a specific example of network traffic processing with two processors  400 . As depicted, text diagram  400  consists of graphs  400   a  and  400   b . Graph  400   a  plots data packet arrival rate in terms of potential system utilization over time. Graph  400   b  identifies whether the little or big processor is active over the same time interval referenced in graph  400   a.    
     There are two thresholds identified on graph  400   a . The first threshold may be the maximum throughput capability of the little processor. Alternatively the first threshold may be a percentage of maximum throughput capability of the little processor (e.g., 95%). The second threshold may be calculated using the maximum throughput of the little processor plus the size of the overflow queue divided by a selected time interval. The resulting second threshold is the maximum number of data packets that may be handled by the little processor and the overflow queue over a selected time interval. 
     Also identified on graph  400   a  are three intervals ( 410 ,  420 , and  430 ) denoting different scenarios. Interval  410  depicts a scenario in which the data packet arrival rate experiences a spike that is greater than the first threshold and less than the second threshold. The spike in data packet arrival is for a short duration, and can be handled by the little processor by using the overflow queue. As is displayed in graph  400   b , the little processor handles the data packet traffic without activating the big processor. 
     Interval  420  depicts a scenario in which the data packet arrival rate experiences a lull that is less than the second threshold and greater than the first threshold. The lull in data packet arrival is for a short duration. The duration may have been shorter than a predetermined interval, and therefore a switch to the little processor was not requested. As is displayed in graph  400   b , the big processor remains active throughout the short lull. 
     Interval  430  depicts a scenario in which the data packet arrival rate experiences a lull that is less than the second threshold and greater than the first threshold. The sustained throughput remains in the range between the second threshold and the first threshold over a duration that is equal to, or greater than, a predetermined interval  430 . Sustained throughput in this range may indicate the data packet traffic can be handled by the little processor and the overflow queue; thus, the little processor is activated and the big processor is deactivated. Graph  400   b  depicts the switch from the big processor to the little processor at the end of the interval  430 . 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram depicting one example of a computing apparatus (i.e., computer) suitable for executing the methods disclosed herein. The computer  500  may contain one or more embodiments of the NoC depicted in  FIG. 1 . It should be appreciated that  FIG. 5  provides only an illustration of one implementation and does not imply any limitations with regard to the environments in which different embodiments may be implemented. Many modifications to the depicted environment may be made. 
     As depicted, the computer  500  includes communications fabric  502 , which provides communications between computer processor(s)  505 , memory  506 , persistent storage  508 , communications unit  512 , and input/output (I/O) interface(s)  515 . Communications fabric  502  can be implemented with any architecture designed for passing data and/or control information between processors (such as microprocessors, communications and network processors, etc.), system memory, peripheral devices, and any other hardware components within a system. For example, communications fabric  502  can be implemented with one or more buses. 
     Memory  506  and persistent storage  508  are computer readable storage media. In this embodiment, memory  506  includes random access memory (RAM)  516  and cache memory  518 . In general, memory  506  can include any suitable volatile or non-volatile computer readable storage media. 
     One or more programs may be stored in persistent storage  508  for execution by one or more of the respective computer processors  505  via one or more memories of memory  506 . The persistent storage  508  may be a magnetic hard disk drive, a solid state hard drive, a semiconductor storage device, read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, or any other computer readable storage media that is capable of storing program instructions or digital information. 
     The media used by persistent storage  508  may also be removable. For example, a removable hard drive may be used for persistent storage  508 . Other examples include optical and magnetic disks, thumb drives, and smart cards that are inserted into a drive for transfer onto another computer readable storage medium that is also part of persistent storage  508 . 
     Communications unit  512 , in these examples, provides for communications with other data processing systems or devices. In these examples, communications unit  512  includes one or more network interface cards. Communications unit  512  may provide communications through the use of either or both physical and wireless communications links. 
     I/O interface(s)  515  allows for input and output of data with other devices that may be connected to computer  500 . For example, I/O interface  515  may provide a connection to external devices  520  such as a keyboard, keypad, a touch screen, and/or some other suitable input device. External devices  520  can also include portable computer readable storage media such as, for example, thumb drives, portable optical or magnetic disks, and memory cards. 
     Software and data used to practice embodiments of the present invention can be stored on such portable computer readable storage media and can be loaded onto persistent storage  508  via I/O interface(s)  515 . I/O interface(s)  515  also connects to a display  522 . Display  522  provides a mechanism to display data to a user and may be, for example, a computer monitor. 
     The programs described herein are identified based upon the application for which they are implemented in a specific embodiment of the invention. However, it should be appreciated that any particular program nomenclature herein is used merely for convenience, and thus the invention should not be limited to use solely in any specific application identified and/or implied by such nomenclature. 
     The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computer program product. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention. 
     The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire. 
     Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device. 
     Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user&#39;s computer, partly on the user&#39;s computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user&#39;s computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user&#39;s computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention. 
     Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions. 
     These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     The flowcharts and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.