JP2008294794A - Distributed type multimedia server system and its multimedia information distribution/accumulation method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a distributed type multimedia server system capable of flexibly responding to transfer requests of streams of various bands. <P>SOLUTION: The distributed type multimedia server system 10 has a buffer server 14 and a disk server 15 connected by a connection network 17 between clusters having a remote direct memory access function. By the connection network 17 between clusters, a necessary band is secured by combining a plurality of connections. The buffer server 14 receives the transfer of multimedia information by the remote direct memory access function from the disk server 15 via a plurality of connections corresponding to bands required for transfer of multimedia information based on a reproduction request from a terminal 11 and distributes the multimedia information to the terminal 11. The disk server 15 reads the multimedia information from a disk 16 and transfers the information to the buffer server by the remote direct memory access function via the plurality of connections. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a distributed multimedia server system capable of distributing requested multimedia information to a terminal without delay or accumulating multimedia information transmitted from the terminal in response to a request from the terminal, and the same The present invention relates to a multimedia information distribution / storage method.

  A configuration example of a conventional distributed multimedia server system is described in Patent Document 1 and the like. The distributed multimedia server system described in Patent Document 1 includes a communication server module, a storage server module, and a local area network. The multimedia information is distributed according to the following procedure. The communication server module receives a read request from the terminal, and transmits a request for reading the requested multimedia information to the storage server module via the local area network. The storage server module that has received this read request transmits the requested multimedia information to the communication server module via the local area network. The communication server module that has received it creates multimedia information and transmits it to the terminal through the network for distribution. Similarly, the communication server module transmits a multimedia information read request to the storage server module, and the storage server module transmits the requested multimedia information to the communication server module and repeats this.

  Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2 (the author includes a part of the inventor) include a plurality of buffer servers and a plurality of disk servers in an interconnected network using InfiniBand (see Non-Patent Document 3). A connected distributed multimedia server system is described. In this distributed multimedia server system, distribution of multimedia information is performed in the following procedure. The buffer server that has received the transmission start message transmits a read request message to the disk server storing the first video frame. The disk server that has received the read request reads out a video frame from a RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpesive Disk), stores the video frame in a buffer memory in the disk server, and stores the video frame in the buffer server. On the response message. Thereafter, the disk server autonomously reads data from the RAID at regular time intervals using the function of the pseudo real-time module. The buffer server reads the video frame from the disk server using the remote direct memory access function as described in Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2, based on the memory information sent from the disk server. In parallel with this processing, video frames are packetized and transmitted to a playback terminal at regular time intervals using the function of the pseudo real-time control module. By a function of the pseudo real-time control module, a read request is made to the disk server storing the next video frame after a certain time. Repeat this.

Japanese Patent No. 3461278 Ogura Ogai, “PC cluster type high-speed stream server architecture using InfiniBand”, IEICE Technical Report, Vol. 105, no. 86, pp. 33-36, Announce date 2005/5/27 Hiroyuki Kimiyama and five others, “IP network-based uncompressed HDTV10 multistream server using PC cluster”, Multimedia, Distributed, Cooperative and Mobile (DICOMO 2005) Symposium Proceedings, pp. 797-800 (no volume, no issue), date of publication 2005/7/8 INFINIBAND (SM) TRADE ASSOCIATION, [online], [May 6, 2005 search], Internet <http://www.infinibandta.org/events/past/it_roadshow/fabric_tco_ibm.pdf> Myrine Overview, [online], [Search May 6, 2005], Internet <http://www.myrinet.com/myrinet/overview/> National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology Advanced Information Computing Center, “AIST Super Cluster”, [online], [Search May 6, 2005], Internet <http://unit.aist.go.jp/tacc/ supercluster.html> Remote Direct Memory Access-Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, [online], [Search January 18, 2007], Internet <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remote_Direct_Memory_Access>

  In the distributed multimedia server systems described in Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2, InfiniBand and a remote direct memory access function are provided in order to ensure high throughput in data transfer between the buffer server and the disk server. Used. The remote direct memory access function is a function that transfers data stored in the memory between two computers via a network as described in Non-Patent Document 6, and uses a network card function to reduce the load. It is a function that can realize high-speed data transfer. As a result, a high total throughput can be obtained at a low system cost.

  However, in the distributed multimedia server system described in Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2, the transfer rate between the buffer server and the disk server is kept constant by activating the transfer process by remote direct memory access at regular time intervals. The traffic of the inter-cluster connection network is kept constant, and real-time performance is ensured. In order to transfer multimedia information at various rates, it is necessary to change the transfer rate. For this purpose, the memory size used for remote direct memory access is changed for each request, or the start interval of transfer processing is changed. There is only a way to change it. However, when the activation interval of the transfer process is changed, it is difficult to calculate the activation interval so that the traffic of the entire inter-cluster connection network is constant. Therefore, it is necessary to use a method for changing the memory size. However, since the remote direct memory access transfer function uses the hardware function as described above, when changing the memory size, it is necessary to initialize the hardware, and there is a problem that the transfer corresponding to other requests stops. .

  An object of the present invention is to provide a distributed multimedia server system capable of obtaining a high total throughput at a low system cost and flexibly responding to a stream transfer request of various bands, and its multimedia information It is to provide a distribution / accumulation method.

  Of the inventions disclosed in this specification, the outline of typical ones will be briefly described as follows.

  A first invention is a distributed multimedia server system that stores multimedia information and distributes the requested multimedia information in response to a playback request from a terminal, the network having a remote direct memory access function or A network or bus system having a first server and a second server connected to each other by a bus system and having the remote direct memory access function can set a plurality of connections, and a plurality of the connections are combined. A network or bus system that can use a bundle of connections, assigning a memory block to be used for remote direct memory access for each connection, setting a bandwidth for each connection, and the first server from a terminal The multimedia information is transferred from the second server by a remote direct memory access function via a connection bundle consisting of a plurality of connections corresponding to the bandwidth required for transferring multimedia information based on the reproduction request, and the second information The multimedia information transferred from the server is distributed to the terminal, and the second server reads the multimedia information based on the reproduction request from the terminal from the storage device, and the first server via the connection bundle The multimedia information is transferred to a remote direct memory access function.

  A second invention is a distributed multimedia server system that stores multimedia information and distributes the requested multimedia information in response to a playback request from a terminal, the network having a remote direct memory access function or A network or bus system having a first server and a second server connected to each other by a bus system and having the remote direct memory access function can set a plurality of connections on the network or the bus system. A network or bus system that can use a plurality of connection bundles and set a bandwidth by allocating a memory block for each connection, wherein the first server is a multi-device based on a storage request from a terminal. For transferring media information The multimedia information received from the terminal is transferred to the second server by a remote direct memory access function via a connection bundle consisting of a plurality of connections corresponding to the required bandwidth, and the second server transmits the connection bundle. The multimedia information transferred from the first server via the storage is stored in a storage device.

  A third invention has a plurality of the second servers according to the first invention, and the first server is a multimedia multimedialy from the plurality of second servers via the connection bundle. In response to the transfer of information, the multimedia information transferred from the second server is distributed to the terminal.

  A fourth invention includes a plurality of the second servers according to the second invention, and the first server receives the multimedia information received from a terminal via the connection bundle. It transfers to the server of 2 cyclically.

  According to a fifth invention, in the first to fourth inventions, the memory blocks corresponding to the connection bundle are defined as one memory block group, and the memory block group is a continuous memory space as a whole. .

  In a sixth aspect based on the fifth aspect, each of the first server and the second server creates a plurality of the memory block groups, and the first server or the second server Multimedia information temporarily stored in the plurality of memory block groups in a cyclic manner and temporarily stored in the plurality of memory block groups in the first server or the second server. Information is cyclically transferred to the second server or the first server by a remote direct memory access function via a connection corresponding to each memory block.

  A seventh invention includes a plurality of the second servers in the fifth to sixth inventions, and the first server includes a plurality of memory block groups corresponding to the plurality of second servers. And the plurality of memory block groups are cyclically used.

  In an eighth aspect based on the first to seventh aspects, the second server accumulates divided multimedia information, which is divided multimedia information, in the divided unit, and stores the divided multimedia information in the storage device. The divided multimedia information is transferred between the second server and the second server in the divided units.

  According to a ninth invention, in the first to eighth inventions, a plurality of the first servers are provided.

  A tenth invention is a multimedia information distribution method in a distributed multimedia server system, and has the same characteristics as the first invention.

  An eleventh invention is a multimedia information storage method in a distributed multimedia server system, and has the same features as the second invention.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a distributed multimedia server system capable of obtaining a high total throughput at a low system cost and flexibly responding to a request for transferring a stream of various bands.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to what has the same function in each figure, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an entire system having a distributed multimedia server system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 10 is a distributed multimedia server system, 11 and 12 are terminals operated by the user, and 13 is a distribution network. Although two terminals are shown in the figure, any number may be used. The distributed multimedia server system 10 includes a buffer server (first server) 14, a disk server (second server) 15, and a disk (storage device) 16. 17 is an inter-cluster connection network, and 18 is a local area network.

  The buffer server 14 is a server that transmits or receives multimedia information in response to requests from the terminals 11 and 12. The disk server 15 has a disk 16 that stores multimedia information divided for each frame, for example, and reads the multimedia information from the disk 16 or writes to the disk 16. Note that the unit of dividing multimedia information is not limited to one frame.

  The buffer server 14 and the disk server 15 are connected by a network or bus system that can use the remote direct memory access function. In FIG. 1, they are connected by an intercluster connection network 17. The buffer server 14 and the disk server 15 can refer to data in each other's buffer memory using the remote direct memory access function. In this embodiment, since the purpose is to use an inter-cluster connection network for parallel computers as the network 17, it is assumed that a message communication function is provided. However, if this is not possible, for example, a local area network 18 as shown in FIG. 1 can be used for exchanging messages such as a divided multimedia information read request and a response described later. is there. In this case, the buffer server 14 and the disk server 15 are connected by both the network 17 that can use the remote direct memory access function and the local area network 18 that cannot use the remote direct memory access function. The terminals 11 and 12 and the distributed multimedia server system 10 are connected by a distribution network 13 such as a wide area network.

  Specific examples of the inter-cluster connection network for configuring the parallel computer used as the inter-cluster connection network 17 in this embodiment include Non-Patent Document 3, Non-Patent Document 4, Non-Patent Document 5, and the like. In this embodiment, an intercluster connection network is configured using InfiniBand of Non-Patent Document 3. This network is designed to be used for sending and receiving messages between servers and for memory sharing, while it is designed to be used for sending and receiving messages between servers and sharing memory because it achieves high-speed, low-load and low-cost because it ensures the reliability of communication with hardware. It does not have a function for transferring data streams. However, this memory sharing function called remote direct memory access function is a function that allows the server memory connected by this inter-cluster connection network to be freely accessed from other servers. Data can be transferred with almost no load on the CPU of the server. Furthermore, in this remote direct memory access function, once the address of the other party is obtained, data can be transferred without the other party doing anything. For example, in processing using TCP / IP, the other party can send () However, by using this function, it is possible to transfer data without performing extra processing on the other side. If this network can be used, data can be transferred with low load. Therefore, it is possible to construct a server system with high transfer capacity for a low-cost server without introducing an expensive and high-spec server system. , Server and interconnect network costs can be reduced.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a multimedia information transfer method in the distributed multimedia server system 10 of this embodiment. Although FIG. 2 shows the case of stream distribution of multimedia information, the multimedia information can also be distributed as a file. The multimedia information may be uncompressed or compressed.

  The distributed multimedia server system 10 according to the present embodiment divides a band (for example, 10 Gbps) of an inter-cluster connection network (specifically, a network using InfiniBand) 17 into a plurality of small bands (for example, 50 Mbps) at the time of startup. For example, a plurality of 50 Mbit memory blocks are prepared in the buffer server 14 and the disk server 15. Hereinafter, one connection is allocated to the divided small band. In the case of this example, it is assumed that transfer processing by remote direct memory access is started once per second for the sake of simplicity. Then, according to the requested bandwidth for stream transfer, a desired bandwidth is secured by using a connection bundle in which a plurality of connections are combined.

  FIG. 2 shows that the distributed multimedia server system 10 delivers stream data S1 requiring a bandwidth of 100 Mbps to the terminal 11 and delivers stream data S2 requiring a bandwidth of 150 Mbps to the terminal 12. Shows the case. For the transfer of the stream data S1, the buffer server 14 secures the memory block 21, the disk server 15 secures the memory block 22, and two of the connections (50 Mbps) of the inter-cluster connection network 17 (for 100 Mbps). Is used. The disk server 15 reads the multimedia information for distribution from the disk 16 to the terminal 11 into the memory block 22. The multimedia information is transferred to the memory block 21 of the buffer server 14 by the remote direct memory access function using two connections (for 100 Mbps), and the buffer server 14 sends the multimedia information to the terminal 11 via the distribution network 13. Send. Similarly, for the transfer of the stream data S2, the buffer server 14 secures the memory block 23, the disk server 15 secures the memory block 24, and three of the connections (50 Mbps) of the inter-cluster connection network 17 ( 150 Mbps). The disk server 15 reads the multimedia information for distribution from the disk 16 to the terminal 12 into the memory block 24. The multimedia information is transferred to the memory block 23 of the buffer server 14 using a connection for three lines (for 150 Mbps), and the buffer server 14 transmits this to the terminal 12 via the distribution network 13.

  FIG. 3 shows the memory structure of the buffer server 14 and the disk server 15. Reference numeral 31 denotes a memory block group created in the memory in the buffer server 14, and reference numeral 32 denotes a memory block group created in the memory in the disk server 15. The memory block groups 31 and 32 are composed of memory blocks A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5, respectively. Reference numeral 33 denotes a small-band connection obtained by dividing the inter-cluster connection network 17. 34 and 35 are EP (End Point, which is an abstraction of a communication end point that does not depend on the type of communication medium).

  When the buffer server 14 is connected, the disk server 15 creates a memory block group composed of the same number of memory blocks as the buffer server 14. A memory block group used for one stream is a continuous memory space. The connection EP1 corresponds to the memory block A1 of the buffer server 14 and the disk server 15, and the multimedia information temporarily stored in the memory block A1 of either server is a remote direct memory access function via the connection EP1. Is transferred to the memory block A1 of the other server. Similarly, the connections EP2 to EP5 correspond to the memory blocks A2 to A5 of the buffer server 14 and the disk server 15, and the multimedia information temporarily stored in the memory blocks A2 to A5 of either server is the connection. The data is transferred to the memory blocks A2 to A5 of the other server by the remote direct memory access function via EP2 to EP5. The buffer server 14 and the disk server 15 create a memory block group composed of the same number of memory blocks as the required number of connections. When the required number of connections is 1, the number of memory blocks constituting the memory block group is also one.

  FIG. 4 shows a sequence diagram when the distributed multimedia server system 10 delivers multimedia information to the terminal 11. The terminal 11 transmits a reproduction request for the stream data S1 to the buffer server 14 of the distributed multimedia server system 10 via the distribution network 13 (step 41). The buffer server 14 transmits an S1 playback initialization request to the disk server 15 (step 42). The disk server 15 calculates the number (n) of EPs consumed from the bandwidth of the stream data S1, searches for n consecutive unused EPs, and assumes that m + 1 to m + n are unused. EPs from m + 1 to m + n are secured (step 43). The disk server 15 transmits an EP ensuring response to the buffer server 14 (step 44). The buffer server 14 confirms that the EPs from the (m + 1) th to the (m + n) th are unused and secures the EPs (step 45).

  The buffer server 14 transmits a stream data transfer request to the disk server 15 (step 46). The disk server 15 reads multimedia information (divided multimedia information) for one frame from the disk 16 into the memory blocks Am + 1 to Am + n corresponding to the reserved EP (step 47). The divided multimedia information read from the memory block Am + 1 of the disk server 15 to Am + n is transferred to the memory blocks Am + 1 to Am + n of the buffer server 14 by the remote direct memory access function using EPs from m + 1 to m + n. (Step 48). The buffer server 14 packetizes the divided multimedia information stored in the memory blocks Am + 1 to Am + n and transmits it to the terminal 11 via the distribution network 13, and the terminal 11 displays the frame on the display (step 49).

  The buffer server 14 makes a data transfer request to the disk server 15 (step 50), the disk server 15 reads the divided multimedia information from the disk 16 (step 51), and the read divided multimedia information is read by the remote direct memory access function. Transferred to the buffer server 14 (step 52), the buffer server 14 transmits the multimedia information to the terminal 11, and the terminal 11 displays the frame. This is repeated.

  The distribution of the stream data S1 to the terminal 11 of the buffer server 14 in FIG. 2 has been described above in detail. The buffer server 14 delivers the stream data S2 to the terminal 12 at the same time, but the delivery sequence of the stream data S2 is the same as described above. That is, the plurality of threads of the buffer server 14 and the disk server 15 perform distribution in the same sequence as described above. This also applies to the case of accumulation described below and other embodiments.

  FIG. 5 shows a sequence diagram when the distributed multimedia server system 10 receives multimedia information from the terminal 11. The terminal 11 transmits a stream data S1 accumulation request to the buffer server 14 of the distributed multimedia server system 10 via the distribution network 13 (step 55). The buffer server 14 transmits an S1 storage initialization request to the disk server 15 (step 56). The disk server 15 calculates the number (n) of EPs consumed from the bandwidth of the stream data S1, searches for n consecutive unused EPs, and assumes that m + 1 to m + n are unused. EPs from m + 1 to m + n are secured (step 57). The disk server 15 transmits an EP ensuring response to the buffer server 14 (step 58). The buffer server 14 confirms that the EPs from the (m + 1) th to the (m + n) th are unused and secures the EPs (step 59).

  The buffer server 14 receives the multimedia information from the terminal 11, and temporarily stores one frame of multimedia information (divided multimedia information) in the memory blocks Am + 1 to Am + n corresponding to the reserved EP (step 60). ). The divided multimedia information stored in the memory blocks Am + 1 to Am + n of the buffer server 14 is transferred to the memory blocks Am + 1 to Am + n of the disk server 15 by the remote direct memory access function using the EPs from m + 1 to m + n. (Step 61). The disk server 15 writes the divided multimedia information stored in the memory blocks Am + 1 to Am + n to the disk 16 (step 62).

  The buffer server 14 receives the multimedia information from the terminal 11, and temporarily stores one frame of multimedia information (divided multimedia information) in the memory blocks Am + 1 to Am + n corresponding to the reserved EP (step 63). ). The divided multimedia information stored in the memory blocks Am + 1 to Am + n of the buffer server 14 is transferred to the memory blocks Am + 1 to Am + n of the disk server 15 by the remote direct memory access function using the EPs from m + 1 to m + n. (Step 64). The disk server 15 writes the divided multimedia information stored in the memory blocks Am + 1 to Am + n to the disk 16 (step 65). This is repeated.

  FIG. 6 shows memory structures of the buffer server 14 and the disk server 15 of the second embodiment. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the memory structure of the buffer server 14 and the disk server 15, but the other points are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the buffer server 14 creates a plurality of memory block groups 61 to 64, and the disk server 15 creates a plurality of memory block groups 65 to 68. The number of the memory block groups 61 to 64 and the number of the memory block groups 65 to 68 may be the same or different. The connection EP1 corresponds to the memory blocks A1, B1, C1,..., X1 of the buffer server 14 and also corresponds to the memory blocks A1, B1, C1,. Multimedia information temporarily stored in one of the memory blocks A1, B1, C1,..., X1 of the buffer server 14 or the memory blocks A1, B1, C1,. It is transferred to the memory block of the other server by the remote direct memory access function. Similarly, the connections EP2, EP3, EP4, and EP5 correspond to the memory blocks A2 to X2, A3 to X3, A4 to X4,..., A5 to X5 of the buffer server 14, respectively, and It corresponds to G2, A3 to G3, A4 to G4, ..., A5 to G5. One of the memory blocks A2 to X2, A3 to X3, A4 to X4,..., A5 to X5 of the buffer server 14 or the memory blocks A2 to G2, A3 to G3, A4 to G4,. Is temporarily transferred to the memory block of the other server by the remote direct memory access function via connections EP2, EP3, EP4, and EP5, respectively.

  FIG. 7 shows a sequence diagram when the distributed multimedia server system of this embodiment distributes multimedia information to terminals. The terminal 11 transmits a reproduction request for the stream data S1 to the buffer server 14 via the distribution network 13 (step 71). The buffer server 14 transmits an S1 playback initialization request to the disk server 15 (step 72). The disk server 15 calculates the number (n) of EPs consumed from the bandwidth of the stream S1, searches for n consecutive unused EPs, and if m + 1 to m + n are unused, m + 1 EPs from No. to m + n are secured (step 73). The disk server 15 transmits an EP ensuring response to the buffer server 14 (step 74). The buffer server 14 confirms that the EPs from the (m + 1) th to the (m + n) th are unused and secures the EPs (step 75).

  The buffer server 14 transmits a stream data transfer request to the disk server 15 (step 76). The disk server 15 reads multimedia information (divided multimedia information) for one frame from the disk 16 into the memory blocks Am + 1 to Am + n corresponding to the EPs from the (m + 1) th to the (m + n) th (step 77). The divided multimedia information read from the memory block Am + 1 of the disk server 15 to Am + n is transferred to the memory blocks Am + 1 to Am + n of the buffer server 14 by the remote direct memory access function using EPs from m + 1 to m + n. (Step 78). The buffer server 14 packetizes the divided multimedia information stored in the memory blocks Am + 1 to Am + n and transmits it to the terminal 11 via the distribution network 13, and the terminal 11 displays the frame on the display (step 79).

  Without waiting for the completion of the transmission of the multimedia information in step 79, the buffer server 14 sends a data transfer request to the disk server 15 (step 80), and the disk server 15 receives one frame of multimedia information (divided) from the disk 16. Multimedia information) is read from memory blocks Bm + 1 to Bm + n (step 81). The divided multimedia information read from the memory blocks Bm + 1 to Bm + n of the disk server 15 is transferred to the memory blocks Bm + 1 to Bm + n of the buffer server 14 by the remote direct memory access function using EPs from m + 1 to m + n. (Step 82). After the transmission of the multimedia information of the previous frame is completed, the buffer server 14 packetizes the divided multimedia information stored in the memory blocks Bm + 1 to Bm + n and transmits it to the terminal 11 via the distribution network 13. Is displayed on the display (step 83).

  Without waiting for the completion of the transmission of the multimedia information in step 83, the buffer server 14 makes a data transfer request to the disk server 15 (step 84), and in the same way, remote direct memory access using the memory blocks Cm + 1 to Cm + n Transferred by function. Thereafter, similarly, the data is transferred by the remote direct memory access function using the next memory block.

  The disk server 15 cyclically stores the divided multimedia information read from the disk 16 in A, B, C,. That is, the data are temporarily stored in order in A, B, C,..., G, and the next data in G is temporarily stored in A, and this is repeated. On the other hand, the divided multimedia information is cyclically transferred from the disk server 15 to A, B, C,. That is, A, B, C,..., X are temporarily stored in order, the next to X is temporarily stored in A, and this is repeated.

  In this embodiment, each of the buffer server 14 and the disk server 15 creates a plurality of memory block groups each composed of the same number of memory blocks as the number of connections in the bandwidth necessary for transferring multimedia information. The read divided multimedia information is temporarily stored cyclically in a plurality of memory block groups, and the multimedia information temporarily stored in the plurality of memory block groups is cyclically stored in the order of storage. Then, the data is transferred to the corresponding memory block of the buffer server 14 by the remote direct memory access function through the connection corresponding to each memory block. Since a plurality of memory block groups are used in this way, multimedia information can be continuously transmitted to the terminal 11.

  The sequence diagram in the case where the distributed multimedia server system 10 in this embodiment receives multimedia information from the terminal 11 is the same as the sequence diagram in FIG. The only difference is that the multimedia information can be received in the step 63, and the usage of the plurality of memory block groups is only the reverse of the playback, and the description thereof is omitted.

  Generally speaking, in this embodiment, each of the buffer server and the disk server creates a plurality of memory block groups, and the buffer server or the disk server cyclically divides the divided multimedia information into the plurality of memory block groups. Multimedia information that is temporarily stored in a plurality of memory block groups of a buffer server or a disk server is cyclically transferred by a remote direct memory access function via a connection corresponding to each memory block. It is transferred to a disk server or a buffer server.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an entire system including the distributed multimedia server system according to the third embodiment. Whereas the first embodiment (see FIG. 1) has only one disk server, the distributed multimedia server system 80 of this embodiment has a plurality of disk servers. In FIG. 8, 81 is a buffer server, 82 and 83 are disk servers, and 84 and 85 are disks connected to the disk servers 82 and 83. Although FIG. 8 shows a case where there are two disk servers, three or more disk servers may be used. In the disks 84 and 85, the divided multimedia information, which is the divided multimedia information, is divided in units (frame units in FIG. 8), and cyclically (when there are two disk servers as shown in FIG. 8) Accumulated).

  FIG. 9 shows the memory structure of the buffer server 81 and the disk servers 82 and 83 of this embodiment. The memory block groups 61 to 64 of the buffer server 81 and the memory block groups 65 to 68 of the disk server 82 are the same as those in FIG. In addition, in order for the buffer server 81 and the disk server 83 to transfer multimedia information by the remote direct memory access function, the buffer server 81 creates a plurality of memory block groups 91 to 94, and the disk server 83 includes a plurality of disk servers 83. Memory block groups 95 to 98 are created. The connection EP6 corresponds to the memory blocks A6, B6, C6,..., X6 of the buffer server 81 and also corresponds to the memory blocks A6, B6, C6,. Multimedia information temporarily stored in either the memory block A6, B6, C6,..., X6 of the buffer server 81 or the memory block A6, B6, C6,. It is transferred to the memory block of the other server by the remote direct memory access function. Similarly, the connections EP7, EP8, EP9, and EP10 correspond to the memory blocks A7 to X7, A8 to X8, A9 to X9, and A10 to X10 of the buffer server 81, respectively, and the memory blocks A7 to G7 of the disk server 83, respectively. It corresponds to A8 to G8, A9 to G9, and A10 to G10. Primary to one of the memory blocks A7 to X7, A8 to X8, A9 to X9, A10 to X10 of the buffer server 81 or one of the memory blocks A7 to G7, A8 to G8, A9 to G9, A10 to G10 of the disk server 83 The stored multimedia information is transferred to the memory block of the other server by the remote direct memory access function via connections EP7, EP8, EP9, and EP10, respectively.

  FIG. 10 shows a sequence diagram when the distributed multimedia server system of this embodiment delivers multimedia information to terminals. The terminal 11 transmits a reproduction request for the stream data S1 to the buffer server 81 via the distribution network 13 (step 101).

  The buffer server 81 transmits an S1 playback initialization request to the disk server 82 (step 102). The disk server 82 calculates the number (n) of EPs consumed from the bandwidth of the stream S1, searches for n consecutive unused EPs, and if m + 1 to m + n are unused, m + 1 EPs from No. to m + n are secured (step 103). The disk server 82 transmits an EP ensuring response to the buffer server 81 (step 104). The buffer server 81 confirms that the EPs from the (m + 1) th to the (m + n) th are unused and secures the EPs (step 105).

  The buffer server 81 transmits an S1 playback initialization request to the disk server 83 (step 106). The disk server 83 calculates the number (n) of EPs consumed from the bandwidth of the stream S1, searches for n consecutive unused EPs, and if p + 1 to p + n are unused, p + 1 EPs from No. to p + n are secured (step 107). The disk server 83 transmits an EP ensuring response to the buffer server 81 (step 108). The buffer server 81 confirms that the EPs from the (p + 1) th to the (p + n) th are unused, and secures the EPs (step 109).

  The buffer server 81 transmits a stream data transfer request to the disk server 82 (step 110). The disk server 82 reads the divided multimedia information (frame # 1) from the disk 84 into the memory blocks Am + 1 to Am + n corresponding to the EPs from m + 1 to m + n (step 111). The divided multimedia information read from the memory block Am + 1 of the disk server 82 to Am + n is transferred to the memory blocks Am + 1 to Am + n of the buffer server 81 by the remote direct memory access function using the EPs from m + 1 to m + n. (Step 112). The buffer server 81 packetizes the divided multimedia information (frame # 1) stored in the memory blocks Am + 1 to Am + n and transmits it to the terminal 11 via the distribution network 13, and the terminal 11 displays the frame # 1 on the display. (Step 113).

  Without waiting for the transmission of frame # 1 to end, the buffer server 81 makes a data transfer request to the disk server 83 (step 114), and the disk server 83 stores the divided multimedia information (frame # 2) from the disk 85 in the memory. Read from block Ap + 1 to Ap + n (step 115). The divided multimedia information read from the memory block Ap + 1 of the disk server 83 to Ap + n is transferred to the memory blocks Ap + 1 to Ap + n of the buffer server 81 by the remote direct memory access function using EPs from the p + 1th to the p + nth. (Step 116). After completing the transfer of the multimedia information of the previous divided multimedia information (frame # 1), the buffer server 81 packetizes the divided multimedia information (frame # 2) stored in the memory blocks Ap to Ap + n, and distributes the network 13 for distribution. The terminal 11 displays the frame # 2 on the display (step 117).

  The buffer server 81 transmits a stream data transfer request to the disk server 82 without waiting for the transmission of the frame # 2 to end (step 118). The disk server 82 reads the divided multimedia information (frame # 3) from the disk 84 into the memory blocks Bm + 1 to Bm + n corresponding to the EPs from m + 1 to m + n (step 119). The divided multimedia information read from the memory block Bm + 1 of the disk server 82 to Bm + n is transferred to the memory blocks Bm + 1 to Bm + n of the buffer server 81 by the remote direct memory access function using EPs from m + 1 to m + n. (Step 120).

  The buffer server 81 transmits a stream data transfer request to the disk server 83 (step 121). Similarly, the divided multimedia information (frame # 4) is transferred to the disk by the remote direct memory access function using the memory blocks Bp + 1 to Bp + n. The data is transferred from the server 83 to the buffer server 81. Thereafter, similarly, the buffer server 81 sends data transfer requests to the disk server 82 and the disk server 83 cyclically (alternatively when there are two disk servers), and a plurality of disks are transmitted by the remote direct memory access function. Receives divided multimedia information from the server in a circular fashion.

FIG. 11 shows a sequence diagram in the case where the distributed multimedia server system of this embodiment accumulates multimedia information in the terminal. The terminal 11 transmits a stream data S1 accumulation request to the buffer server 81 via the distribution network 13 (step 125).
The buffer server 81 transmits an S1 storage initialization request to the disk server 82 (step 126). Steps 127 to 133 are the same as steps 103 to 109 in FIG.

  The buffer server 81 receives the multimedia information from the terminal 11, and temporarily stores the divided multimedia information (frame # 1) for one frame in the memory blocks Am + 1 to Am + n corresponding to the reserved EP (step 134). ). The divided multimedia information stored in the memory blocks Am + 1 to Am + n of the buffer server 81 is transferred to the memory blocks Am + 1 to Am + n of the disk server 82 by the remote direct memory access function using the EPs from m + 1 to m + n. (Step 135). The disk server 82 writes the divided multimedia information (frame # 1) stored in the memory blocks Am + 1 to Am + n to the disk 84 (step 137).

  The buffer server 81 receives the multimedia information from the terminal 11 and temporarily stores the divided multimedia information (frame # 2) for one frame in the memory blocks Ap + 1 to Ap + n corresponding to the reserved EP (step 136). ). The divided multimedia information stored in the memory blocks Ap + 1 to Ap + n of the buffer server 81 is transferred to the memory blocks Ap + 1 to Ap + n of the disk server 83 by the remote direct memory access function using the EPs from the p + 1th to the p + nth. (Step 138). The disk server 83 writes the divided multimedia information (frame # 2) stored in the memory blocks Ap to Ap + n to the disk 85 (step 140).

  The buffer server 81 receives the multimedia information from the terminal 11, and temporarily stores the divided multimedia information (frame # 3) for one frame in the memory blocks Bm + 1 to Bm + n corresponding to the reserved EP (step 139). ). The divided multimedia information stored in the memory blocks Bm + 1 to Bm + n of the buffer server 81 is transferred to the memory blocks Bm + 1 to Bm + n of the disk server 82 by the remote direct memory access function using EPs from m + 1 to m + n. (Step 141). This process is repeated, and the multimedia information received by the buffer server 81 from the terminal 11 is cyclically (for each frame) divided into a plurality of disks for each unit of divided multimedia information (alternately when there are two disk servers). Accumulated.

  Generally speaking, this embodiment has a plurality of disk servers, and the buffer server creates a plurality of memory block groups corresponding to the plurality of disk servers, and circulates the plurality of memory block groups. It is intended for use.

  The entire system having the distributed multimedia server system of the fourth embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 8 of the third embodiment. The difference from the third embodiment is the memory structure of the buffer server 81 and the disk servers 82 and 83. FIG. 12 shows a memory structure of the buffer server 81 and the disk servers 82 and 83 according to the fourth embodiment. The memory structure shown in FIG. 9 of the third embodiment is an extension of the memory structure shown in FIG. 6 of the second embodiment when there are a plurality of disk servers, but the memory structure shown in FIG. The memory structure shown in FIG. 3 of Example 1 is expanded when there are a plurality of disk servers.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in this embodiment, the buffer server 81 has a memory block group 61 (A1 to A5) and a memory block group 91 (A6 to A10), and the disk server 82 has a memory block group 65 (A1). To A5), the disk server 83 has a memory block group 95 (A1 to A5). The sequence of reproduction and storage of multimedia information is not performed after the transfer of divided multimedia information temporarily stored in the memory block groups 61, 91, 65, and 95 is completed. Except that it cannot be temporarily stored in the block group, it is the same as the third embodiment.

  In the fourth embodiment, in order to use a plurality of disk servers cyclically, for example, the buffer server 81 transmits the divided multimedia information of the memory block group 61 (A1 to A5) transferred from the disk server 82 to the terminal 11. Even if the transmission is not finished, the disk server 83 sends the data transmission request next. Therefore, if the transmission of the divided multimedia information in the memory block group 91 (A6 to A10) has already finished. The data transfer request for the next divided multimedia information (next frame) can be transmitted to the disk server 83, and the multimedia information can be transmitted continuously.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an entire system including the distributed multimedia server system according to the fifth embodiment. The distributed multimedia server system 130 according to this embodiment includes a plurality of buffer servers 131, 132, 133,..., A plurality of disk servers 134, 135, 136, a plurality of disks 137, 138, 139, and a load balancer 140. Have.

  As shown in FIG. 13, multimedia information is divided and accumulated on a plurality of disks 137, 138, 139. In FIG. 13, frame # 1 is stored on the disk 137, frame # 2 is stored on the disk 138, and frame # 3 is stored on the disk 139. Then, the plurality of buffer servers 131, 132, 133... Access the plurality of disk servers 134, 135, 136. The multimedia information transfer / storage sequence between one buffer server (eg, 131) of the plurality of buffer servers and the plurality of disk servers 134, 135, 136,... Is described in the third embodiment (see FIGS. 10 and 11). ). In FIG. 13, the buffer server 131 distributes to the terminal 11 as shown by a solid line, while the buffer server 133 distributes to the terminal 12 as shown by a dotted line.

  In this embodiment, the load can be distributed by preparing a plurality of buffer servers and placing a load balancer such as the load balancer 140 between the plurality of buffer servers and the terminal, so that the entire distributed server system has a high throughput. Can be obtained.

  Each server in each embodiment described above has means for realizing each function, operation, and stage, and these means can be configured by a computer and a program, and the program is stored in a storage medium. Can be remembered. Further, instead of using the program, part or all of the program can be configured by hardware.

  As mentioned above, the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiment. However, the invention is not limited to the embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Of course.

1 is a diagram illustrating an entire system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a multimedia information transfer method according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the memory structure of the buffer server of Example 1, and a disk server. It is a sequence diagram in the case of delivery of Example 1. It is a sequence diagram in the case of reception of Example 1. It is a figure which shows the memory structure of the buffer server of Example 2, and a disk server. It is a sequence diagram in the case of delivery of Example 2. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an entire system according to a third embodiment. It is a figure which shows the memory structure of the buffer server of Example 3, and a disk server. It is a sequence diagram in the case of delivery of Example 3. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram in the case of accumulation according to the third embodiment. It is a figure which shows the memory structure of the buffer server of Example 4, and a disk server. It is a figure which shows the whole system of Example 5. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Distributed multimedia server system, 11, 12 ... Terminal, 13 ... Distribution network, 14 ... Buffer server, 15 ... Disk server, 17 ... Intercluster connection network, 18 ... Local area network, 21-24 ... Memory block , 31, 32 ... memory block group, 33, 36 ... connection, 34, 35, 37, 38 ... EP (End Point), 61-64, 65-68 ... memory block group, 80 ... distributed multimedia server system, 81 ... Buffer server, 82, 83 ... Disk server, 84, 85 ... Disk, 91-94, 95-98 ... Memory block group, 130 ... Distributed multimedia server system, 131-133 ... Buffer server, 134-136 ... Disk server, 137-139 ... disk, 140 ... raw Balancer

Claims (11)

A distributed multimedia server system that accumulates multimedia information and distributes requested multimedia information in response to a playback request from a terminal,
A first server and a second server connected to each other by a network or bus system having a remote direct memory access function;
The network or bus system having the remote direct memory access function can set a plurality of connections on the network or bus system, can use a connection bundle obtained by combining a plurality of the connections, and allocates a memory block for each connection. Is a network or bus system whose bandwidth can be set by
The first server is connected to the second server by a remote direct memory access function via a connection bundle consisting of a plurality of connections corresponding to a bandwidth necessary for transferring multimedia information based on a reproduction request from a terminal. Receiving the transfer of the media information, delivering the multimedia information transferred from the second server to the terminal;
The second server reads multimedia information based on a reproduction request from the terminal from a storage device, and transfers the multimedia information to the first server via the connection bundle by a remote direct memory access function.
A distributed multimedia server system. A distributed multimedia server system that accumulates multimedia information and distributes requested multimedia information in response to a playback request from a terminal,
A first server and a second server connected to each other by a network or bus system having a remote direct memory access function;
The network or bus system having the remote direct memory access function can set a plurality of connections on the network or bus system, can use a connection bundle obtained by combining a plurality of the connections, and allocates a memory block for each connection. Is a network or bus system whose bandwidth can be set by
The first server receives the multimedia information received from the terminal via a connection bundle consisting of a plurality of connections corresponding to a bandwidth required for transferring multimedia information based on a storage request from the terminal. To the remote direct memory access function,
The second server stores the multimedia information transferred from the first server via the connection bundle in a storage device;
A distributed multimedia server system. The distributed multimedia server system according to claim 1,
A plurality of the second servers;
The first server cyclically receives multimedia information from the plurality of second servers via the connection bundle, and distributes the multimedia information transferred from the second server to the terminal. ,
A distributed multimedia server system. A distributed multimedia server system according to claim 2,
A plurality of the second servers;
The first server cyclically transfers multimedia information received from a terminal to the plurality of second servers via the connection bundle.
A distributed multimedia server system. A distributed multimedia server system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A distributed multimedia server system, wherein the memory blocks corresponding to the connection bundle are defined as one memory block group, and the memory block group is a continuous memory space as a whole. The distributed multimedia server system according to claim 5,
Each of the first server and the second server creates a plurality of the memory block groups,
The first server or the second server cyclically stores the multimedia information in the plurality of memory block groups,
The multimedia information temporarily stored in the plurality of memory block groups of the first server or the second server is transferred to the second information by a remote direct memory access function via a connection corresponding to each memory block. Or cyclically transferred to the first server or the first server,
A distributed multimedia server system. A distributed multimedia server system according to any one of claims 5 to 6,
A plurality of the second servers;
The first server creates a plurality of memory block groups corresponding to the plurality of second servers, and cyclically uses the plurality of memory block groups.
A distributed multimedia server system. A distributed multimedia server system according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The second server stores divided multimedia information, which is divided multimedia information, in the storage device in divided units,
Divided multimedia information is transferred in the divided units between the first server and the second server.
A distributed multimedia server system. A distributed multimedia server system according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A distributed multimedia server system comprising a plurality of the first servers. A multimedia information distribution method in a distributed multimedia server system that accumulates multimedia information and distributes requested multimedia information in response to a playback request from a terminal,
The distributed multimedia server system includes a first server and a second server connected to each other by a network or bus system having a remote direct memory access function,
The network or bus system having the remote direct memory access function can set a plurality of connections on the network or bus system, can use a connection bundle obtained by combining a plurality of the connections, and allocates a memory block for each connection. Is a network or bus system whose bandwidth can be set by
The first server is connected to the second server by a remote direct memory access function via a connection bundle consisting of a plurality of connections corresponding to a bandwidth required for transfer of multimedia information based on a reproduction request from a terminal. Receiving the transfer of the media information, delivering the multimedia information transferred from the second server to the terminal;
The second server reads multimedia information based on a reproduction request from the terminal from a storage device, and transfers the multimedia information to the first server via the connection bundle by a remote direct memory access function.
A multimedia information distribution method characterized by the above. A multimedia information storage method in a distributed multimedia server system that stores multimedia information and distributes requested multimedia information in response to a playback request from a terminal,
The distributed multimedia server system has a first server and a second server connected to each other by a network or bus system having a remote direct memory access function,
The network or bus system having the remote direct memory access function can set a plurality of connections on it, can use a connection bundle combining a plurality of the connections, and allocates a memory block for each connection. Is a network or bus system whose bandwidth can be set by
The first server receives the multimedia information received from the terminal via a connection bundle consisting of a plurality of connections corresponding to a bandwidth necessary for transferring multimedia information based on a storage request from the terminal. To the remote direct memory access function,
The second server stores the multimedia information transferred from the first server via the connection bundle in a storage device;
A multimedia information storage method characterized by the above.

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