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Microsoft patents method to copy data between servers using RDMA

Patent drawing
Patent drawing from the official filing.

This patent describes a way to copy logs from one computer to another using a network protocol called Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA). The system sends the main data first, followed by small metadata details, using specific network rules to confirm when the copy is fully finished.

Why it mattersThis improves the speed and reliability of data backup in large server farms, which helps keep cloud services running smoothly.

In the filing’s own words

A computer-implemented method for replicating a log to a remote computer system is disclosed. The method involves identifying a log comprising a data portion and a metadata portion for replication. The data portion is sent to the remote computer system using a Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) write operation, while the metadata portion is sent using a first RDMA send operation after the data portion has been sent. The method further includes identifying a second RDMA send operation received from the remote computer system, which indicates the completion of the first RDMA send operation. Based on identifying the second RDMA send operation, the method determines the completion of log replication to the remote computer system. This method enables efficient and reliable replication of logs in a computer system.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A method implemented in a computer system that includes a processor system, comprising: identifying a log for replication to a remote computer system, the log comprising a data portion and a metadata portion; sending the data portion to the remote computer system using a Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) write operation; sending the metadata portion to the remote computer system using a first RDMA send operation, wherein; the first RDMA send operation is issued after sending the data portion to the remote computer system using the RDMA write operation, and RDMA protocol ordering guarantees associated with the RDMA send operation ensure completion of the RDMA write operation upon processing of the first RDMA send operation at the remote computer system; identifying a second RDMA send operation received from the remote computer system, the second RDMA send operation signaling completion of the first RDMA send operation; and determining a completion of replication of the log to the remote computer system based on identifying the second RDMA send operation, wherein the completion of replication is determined using the RDMA protocol ordering guarantees associated with the first RDMA send operation.

Facts

Company
Microsoft (Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC)
Official title
Remote direct memory access data replication model
Patent number
US12764187B2
Application number
18587247
Filed
Feb 26, 2024
Granted
Oct 13, 2026
Inventors
4
Claims
20

Classified under

H04L 67/1097 Electricity & electronicsG06F 11/3476 Physics & computing
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.