Server device and communication connection scheme using network interface processors

A network interface processor device to be connected to a main machine of a server device having a main processor configured to control the main machine and a main memory configured to store server data, the network interface processor device comprising:

• a local processor configured to control the network interface processor device independently from the main machine;
• a local memory configured to control a part of the server data;
• and
• a local network controller configured to communicate with an external device through a network;
• wherein the local processor is configured to control the local memory and the local network controller such that data requested by the external device is transmitted to the external device directly 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 to request the main processor to transfer the requested data from the main machine to the network interface processor device 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 indirectly through the local network controller.

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 the respective 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 respective local memory of each network interface processor unit;
• transmitting a data requested by an external device to the external device directly from the local memory of one of the plurality of network interface processor units through the corresponding local network controller when the requested data is stored in the local memory of said one network interface processor unit and a prescribed condition is satisfied;
• and
• requesting the main processor to transfer the requested data from the main machine to said one network interface processor unit when the requested data is not stored in the local memory of said one network interface processor unit or the prescribed condition is not satisfied, and transmitting the requested data read out from the main memory to the external device indirectly through the local network controller of said one network interface processor unit.

A computer program product for causing a computer to function as a main machine of a server device having a main processor for controlling the main machine, a main memory for storing server data, and a main network controller for communicating with an external device through a network, the main machine being connected to a plurality of network interface processor units, each network interface processor unit having a local processor for controlling the respective 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 the external device through the network, the computer program product comprising:

• a first computer program code configured to cause said computer to select one network interface processor unit among said plurality of network interface processor units according to a prescribed rule upon accepting a request from the external device through the main network controller, and to cause the selected network interface processor unit to transmit a data requested by the external device to the external device directly from the local memory of the selected network interface processor unit through the corresponding local network controller when the requested data is stored in the local memory of the selected network interface processor unit and a prescribed condition is satisfied;
• and
• a second computer program code configured to cause said computer to transfer the requested data from the main memory to the selected network interface processor unit when the requested data is not stored in the local memory of the selected network interface processor unit or the prescribed condition is not satisfied, and to cause the selected network interface processor unit to transmit the requested data to the external device indirectly through the corresponding local network controller.