Overriding potential competing optimization algorithms within layers of device drivers

A data processing system for managing data optimization routines in device drivers in a data transmission path, the data processing system comprising:

• a bus;
• a storage device connected to the bus, wherein the storage device contains computer usable code;
• at least one managed device connected to the bus;
• a communications unit connected to the bus;
• and
• a processing unit connected to the bus, wherein the processing unit executes the computer usable code to identify data optimization routines associated with the device drivers in the data transmission path;
• determine, in response to receiving data in the data transmission path, whether a data optimization routine associated with a device driver in the data transmission path comprises a same optimization or a competing optimization as a data optimization routine associated with one or more other device drivers in the data transmission path;
• select, in response to a determination that the data optimization routine associated with the device driver comprises a same optimization routine or a competing optimization routine as the data optimization routine associated with the one or more other device drivers, one of the device drivers to perform its associated data optimization routine on the data;
• and notify the one or more other device drivers in the data transmission path to skip their associated data optimization routines on the data, wherein the data optimization routines include sort functions.

A computer program product for managing data optimization routines in device drivers in a data transmission path, the computer program product comprising:

• a computer usable storage device having computer usable program code tangibly embodied thereon, the computer usable program code comprising:
• computer usable program code for identifying data optimization routines associated with the device drivers in the data transmission path;
• computer usable program code for determining, in response to receiving data in the data transmission path, whether a data optimization routine associated with a device driver in the data transmission path comprises a same optimization or a competing optimization as a data optimization routine associated with one or more other device drivers in the data transmission path;
• computer usable program code for selecting, in response to a determination that the data optimization routine associated with the device driver comprises a same optimization routine or a competing optimization routine as the data optimization routine associated with the one or more other device drivers, one of the device drivers to perform its associated data optimization routine on the data;
• and
• computer usable program code for notifying the one or more other device drivers in the data transmission path to skip their associated data optimization routines on the data, wherein the data optimization routines include sort functions.