Mainboard and method for switching signal source

Abstract

The embodiment of the present invention relates to the field of computer technology, and more particularly to a motherboard and a method for switching signal sources, which are applicable to a storage device on a motherboard. The method for switching signal sources includes: judging whether a connector is coupled to a disk array (Redundant Array of Independent Disks, RAID) card according to a switching parameter; when it is judged that the connector is not coupled to the RAID card, a software RAID is established. When it is judged that the connector is coupled to the RAID card, a hardware RAID is established. In this way, the effect of switching between hardware RAID and software RAID can be achieved at any time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of computer technology, and more particularly to a method for switching a signal source of a storage device on a motherboard. Background Art

[0002] The method of integrating multiple independent storage devices (such as hard disks and M.2 solid-state drives (SSDs)) on the data access devices of the server using virtualized storage technology is called a disk array (Redundant Array of Independent Disks, RAID), with the purpose of improving the performance, capacity and reliability of data storage. Disk arrays are divided into software disk arrays (Software RAID) and hardware disk arrays (Hardware RAID). Among them, software disk arrays use system resources (computer's own processor, memory, controller, etc.) and operating system (software) to complete disk arrays, while hardware disk arrays use the built-in processor of the disk array card (RAID Card) to independently manage and set disk array functions.

[0003] These two disk array construction methods each have their own advantages and disadvantages. Software disk arrays occupy more server computing resources than hardware disk arrays. Software disk arrays are limited by the operating system, while hardware disk arrays are not. The price of software disk arrays is lower than that of hardware disk arrays. Therefore, the choice between hardware disk arrays and software disk arrays depends on the work purpose and cost, which often causes users trouble in making the first choice.

[0004] In addition, the current motherboard design cannot immediately change the M.2SSD into a hardware or software disk array according to current needs. The current system is fixed to one disk array method. If the disk array method needs to be changed, it must be replaced with another motherboard, which makes the user experience very inconvenient. Summary of the invention

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a motherboard including a connector, a multiplexer and a controller. The connector is used to selectively couple a disk array (Redundant Array of Independent Disks, RAID) card and generate switching parameters. The multiplexer is used to detect the switching parameters after booting up and determine whether the connector is coupled to the RAID card based on the switching parameters. The controller is coupled to the multiplexer. The multiplexer receives a software RAID establishment signal from the controller or a hardware RAID establishment signal from the RAID card based on the switching parameters.

[0006] One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for switching signal sources, which is applicable to a storage device on a motherboard. The method for switching signal sources includes: selectively coupling a disk array RAID card through a connector and generating a switching parameter. Detecting the switching parameter through a multiplexer coupled to the connector and the controller. Receiving a software RAID establishment signal from the controller or a hardware RAID establishment signal from the RAID card according to the switching parameter through the multiplexer.

[0007] Compared with the previous single-source disk array controller architecture, the motherboard and the method for switching signal sources shown in the embodiment of the present invention can more flexibly automatically switch the multi-source disk array control circuit, and can support software RAID and / or hardware RAID according to the needs of users, provide better flexibility and maintain good signal quality. In addition, in a high-density multi-node server (for example, a 2U4N server architecture), without the need to replace the motherboard, the motherboard and the method for switching signal sources provide users with the ability to automatically switch to hardware RAID or software RAID at any time based on their own performance or cost considerations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 A block diagram of a mainboard according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0009] Figure 2 The figure is a flow chart of a method for switching signal sources according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] The following description is a preferred implementation of the invention, and its purpose is to describe the basic spirit of the invention, but it is not intended to limit the invention.

[0011] It must be understood that the words "comprise", "include" and the like used in this specification are used to indicate the existence of specific technical features, values, method steps, operation processing, components and / or components, but do not exclude the addition of more technical features, values, method steps, operation processing, components, components, or any combination of the above.

[0012] The words "first", "second", "third", etc. used in patent applications are used to modify the components in the patent applications. They are not used to indicate a priority order, a prior relationship, or that one component precedes another, or the temporal order of performing method steps. They are only used to distinguish components with the same name.

[0013] In the traditional server architecture, the same group of storage devices 20, 21 (such as M.2SSD) can only have one array architecture, which cannot meet the needs of different disk array architectures for different applications. Generally speaking, a high-density multi-node server (for example, a 2U4N server architecture, with 4 motherboards 100 on a 2U rack) can support four nodes (nodes), i.e., four motherboards 100, to provide users with the flexibility to adjust different node configurations to achieve the user's desired purpose. However, the traditional design cannot immediately change the storage devices 20, 21 according to current needs (such as Figure 1 As shown in the figure, the hardware disk array (Redundant Array of Independent Disks, RAID) or software RAID is formed. Traditional systems are fixed to one disk array mode. If the disk array mode needs to be changed, another motherboard 100 must be replaced, which makes the user experience very inconvenient. This also goes against the purpose of designing the 2U4N server architecture to achieve flexible configuration. In order to meet the needs of different applications at the same time, different disk array architectures can be selected, so that users can have different disk arrays after purchasing the server without replacing the motherboard. Therefore, this case provides a motherboard 100 and a method 200 for switching signal sources, so that the motherboard 100 can automatically switch to hardware RAID or software RAID. In addition, the motherboard 100 and the method 200 for switching signal sources are suitable for general server architectures and are also suitable for high-density multi-node servers (2U4N server architecture).

[0014] Please refer to Figure 1-Figure 2 , Figure 1 A block diagram of a mainboard 100 is shown according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 A flow chart of a method 200 for switching signal sources according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The method 200 for switching signal sources can be implemented by components on the mainboard 100.

[0015] In one embodiment, if Figure 1 As shown, the motherboard 100 includes a multiplexer MUX, a controller 10, at least one storage device 20-21 and a connector 30. In one embodiment, the connector 30 is selectively coupled to a RAID card 40 (Redundant Array of Independent Disks Card) and generates a switching parameter. The multiplexer MUX receives a software RAID establishment signal from a controller 10 or receives a hardware RAID establishment signal from the RAID card 40 according to the switching parameter.

[0016] In one embodiment, a processor 50 is coupled to the controller 10, and the processor 50 is used for data processing of the storage devices 20 and 21. When the connector 30 is coupled to the RAID card 40, the processor 50 accesses data through the RAID card 40. When the connector 30 is not coupled to the RAID card 40, the processor 50 accesses data through the controller 10.

[0017] In one embodiment, the controller 10 may be implemented by a platform controller hub (Platform Controller Hub, PCH).

[0018] In one embodiment, the processor 50 can be implemented by a volume circuit such as a micro controller, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a logic circuit.

[0019] In one embodiment, the storage device 20 can be implemented by a hard disk or an M.2 solid-state drive (SSD). In one embodiment, the storage devices 20 and 21 are coupled to a multiplexer MUX, and the storage devices 20 and 21 receive a software RAID establishment signal from the controller 10 according to a first parameter value of the switching parameter or a hardware RAID establishment signal from the RAID card 40 according to a second parameter value of the switching parameter; when the connector 30 is not coupled to the RAID card 40, the connector 30 generates a switching parameter of the first parameter value; when the connector 30 is coupled to the RAID card 40, the connector 30 generates a switching parameter of the second parameter value.

[0020] In one embodiment, the controller 10 is coupled to the multiplexer MUX via a communication interface (e.g., Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA)). For example, the controller 10 is coupled to the input channel INA0 of the multiplexer MUX via the SATA interface LA0, and for example, the controller 10 is coupled to the input channel INA1 of the multiplexer MUX via the SATA interface LA1.

[0021] In one embodiment, the output channels Dout0 and Dout1 of the multiplexer MUX are coupled to the storage devices 20-21 via a communication interface (e.g., SATA or a high-speed peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe)). For example, the output channel Dout0 of the multiplexer MUX is coupled to the storage device 20 via the SATA or PCIe interface LD0, and the output channel Dout1 of the multiplexer MUX is coupled to the storage device 21 via the SATA or PCIe interface LD1.

[0022] In one embodiment, the connector 30 is electrically coupled to the selection channel SEL of the multiplexer MUX. In addition, the connector 30 is connected to the input channel INB0 of the multiplexer MUX through the SATA interface, and is connected to the input channel INB1 of the multiplexer MUX through the SATA interface.

[0023] Those skilled in the art should understand that the components on the motherboard 100 are only examples. In actual implementation, more multiplexers MUX, more storage devices, and more connectors may be used to construct software RAID or hardware RAID (need to be coupled to a RAID card) on the storage device. On the other hand, the motherboard 100 may also use only one storage device, one input channel, one output channel, one connector, and one controller to construct software RAID or hardware RAID (need to be coupled to a RAID card).

[0024] In one embodiment, the controller 10 can construct a software RAID on the storage devices 20 and 21. For hardware RAID, the RAID card 40 needs to construct a hardware RAID on the storage devices 20 and 21 when the connector 30 is connected to the RAID card 40. Among them, software RAID uses system resources (computer's own processor, controller 10, etc.) and operating system (software) to complete the disk array, while hardware RAID uses the built-in processor of the RAID card 40 to independently manage and set the disk array function. Figure 2 A method 200 of switching a signal source is described.

[0025] In one embodiment, after the host is powered on (for example, after the power button of the host is pressed), step 210 is entered. In one embodiment, the multiplexer MUX is used to select a signal source of a storage device according to the switching parameter.

[0026] In step 210 , a multiplexer MUX determines whether a connector 30 is coupled to a RAID card 40 according to a switching parameter. If yes, the process goes to step 230 , and if no, the process goes to step 220 .

[0027] In one embodiment, after booting up, the general purpose I / O (GPIO) pins of the multiplexer MUX detect that the switching parameter is currently 1 (first parameter value) or 0 (second parameter value), and the processor 50 can access the storage devices 20 and 21 through the RAID card 40 or the controller 10.

[0028] In one embodiment, when the multiplexer MUX determines that the switching parameter is the first parameter value, it means that the connector 30 is not coupled to the RAID card 40, and then the process proceeds to step 220. When the multiplexer MUX determines that the switching parameter is the second parameter value, it means that the connector 30 is coupled to the RAID card 40, and then the process proceeds to step 230.

[0029] In step 220 , the multiplexer MUX receives a software RAID establishment signal from the controller 10 , so that a signal source of the storage devices 20 and 21 is provided by the controller 10 .

[0030] In one embodiment, the connector 30 transmits the switching parameter to the selection channel SEL of the multiplexer MUX.

[0031] In one embodiment, the first parameter value is 1, which represents a high level. After receiving the switching parameter of the first parameter value, the multiplexer MUX will open at least one first channel (for example, input channels INA0, INA1) corresponding to the controller 10 to receive the first signal source from the controller 10 (that is, the signal source is from the controller 10). In other words, when the switching parameter is 1, the data or signal required to establish the software RAID will be sent from the controller 10 to the input channels INA0, INA1 of the multiplexer MUX through the SATA interfaces LA0, LA1, and then sent to the storage devices 20, 21 through the output channels Dout0, Dout1 of the multiplexer MUX through the SATA or PCIe interfaces LD0, LD1.

[0032] In one embodiment, when the connector 30 is not coupled to the RAID card 40, the connector 30 transmits the first parameter value to the multiplexer MUX, prompting the controller 10 to transmit a software RAID establishment signal to the multiplexer MUX, so that the signal source is provided by the controller 10, allowing the controller 10 to establish a software RAID on the storage devices 20 and 21.

[0033] In one embodiment, the signal source of the controller 10 uses equalization and de-emphasis technology to achieve signal quality optimization, so as to provide the storage devices 20 and 21 with excellent signal quality.

[0034] In one embodiment, the processor 50 can access the storage devices 20 and 21 to perform operations. For example, the processor 50 sends a read signal, and the transmission path of this read signal passes through the controller 10, the SATA interfaces LA0 and LA1, the input channels INA0 and INA1 of the multiplexer MUX, the output channels Dout0 and Dout1 of the multiplexer MUX, and the interfaces LD0 and LD1 in sequence, so as to obtain data corresponding to the read signal from the storage devices 20 and 21, and transmit the data back to the processor 50 according to the original path.

[0035] In one embodiment, when the connector 30 is not coupled to the RAID card 40 , the controller 10 is configured to establish a software RAID on the storage devices 20 and 21 .

[0036] In step 230 , the multiplexer MUX receives a hardware RAID establishment signal from the RAID card 40 , so that the signal sources of the storage devices 20 and 21 are provided by the RAID card 40 .

[0037] In one embodiment, the connector 30 transmits the switching parameter to the selection channel SEL of the multiplexer MUX.

[0038] In one embodiment, the second parameter value is 0, which represents a low level. After receiving the switching parameter of the second parameter value, the multiplexer MUX will open at least one second channel (for example, input channels INB0, INB1) of the corresponding connector to receive the second signal source from the RAID card 40 (i.e., switch the signal source to the RAID card 40). In other words, when the switching parameter is 0, the data or signal required to establish the hardware RAID will be sent from the connector 30 to the input channels INB0, INB1 of the multiplexer MUX through the SATA interfaces LB0, LB1, and then sent to the storage devices 20, 21 through the output channels Dout0, Dout1 of the multiplexer MUX through the SATA or PCIe interfaces LD0, LD1.

[0039] In one embodiment, the signal source of the RAID card 40 uses equalization and de-emphasis technology to achieve signal quality optimization to provide storage devices 20, 21 with excellent signal quality. By establishing a hardware RAID through the RAID card 40, the computing burden of the controller 10 can be reduced. In one embodiment, the processor 50 can access the storage devices 20, 21 to perform computing. For example, the processor 50 sends a read signal, and the transmission path of this read signal is sequentially through: RAID card 40, connector 30, SATA interface LB0, LB1, input channels INB0, INB1 of the multiplexer MUX, output channels Dout0, Dout1 of the multiplexer MUX, interface LD0, LD1, to obtain data corresponding to the read signal from the storage devices 20, 21, and transmit the data back to the processor 50 according to the original path.

[0040] In one embodiment, when the connector 30 detects that the RAID card 40 is removed, step 220 is executed to rebuild the software RAID in the storage devices 20 and 21 .

[0041] From the above, it can be seen that when the multiplexer MUX receives a switching parameter of a first parameter value, the multiplexer MUX receives a first signal source provided by the controller 10, so that the controller 10 establishes a software RAID on the storage devices 20, 21; when the multiplexer MUX receives a switching parameter of a second parameter value, the multiplexer MUX receives a second signal source provided by the RAID card 40 connected to the connector 30, so that the RAID card 40 establishes a hardware RAID on the storage devices 20, 21.

[0042] In summary, compared with the previous single-source disk array controller architecture, the motherboard and the method for switching signal sources can more flexibly automatically switch the multi-source disk array control circuit, and can support software RAID and / or hardware RAID according to user needs, providing better flexibility and maintaining good signal quality. In addition, in a high-density multi-node server (for example, a 2U4N server architecture), without the need to replace the motherboard, the motherboard and the method for switching signal sources provide users with the ability to automatically switch to hardware RAID or software RAID at any time based on their own performance or cost considerations.

[0043]

Explanation of symbols

[0044] 100. Mainboard;

[0045] 10. Controller;

[0046] 20, 21. Storage device;

[0047] 30. Connector;

[0048] 40. RAID card;

[0049] 50. Processor;

[0050] MUX, multiplexer;

[0051] LA0, LB0, LA1, LB1, LD0, LD1, interface;

[0052] INB0, INA, INB1, INA1, input channels;

[0053] Dout0, Dout1, output channels;

[0054] SEL, select channel;

[0055] 200. Method for switching signal source;

[0056] 210~230, steps.

Claims

1. A motherboard, Features Include: A connector, for selectively coupling a disk array RAID card and generating a switching parameter; a multiplexer, coupled to the connector, for detecting the switching parameter; as well as a controller coupled to the multiplexer; wherein the multiplexer receives a software RAID establishment signal from the controller or receives a hardware RAID establishment signal from the RAID card according to the switching parameter; When the connector is not coupled to the RAID card, the connector generates the switching parameter of the first parameter value; Wherein, when the connector is coupled to the RAID card, the connector generates the switching parameter of the second parameter value; A storage device is coupled to the multiplexer and is used for receiving the software RAID establishment signal from the controller according to a first parameter value of the switching parameter or receiving the hardware RAID establishment signal from the RAID card according to a second parameter value of the switching parameter.

2. The motherboard according to claim 1, It is characterized in that When the multiplexer receives the switching parameter of the first parameter value, the multiplexer receives a first signal source provided by the controller so that the controller establishes a software RAID on the storage device; when the multiplexer receives the switching parameter of the second parameter value, the multiplexer receives a second signal source provided by the RAID card so that the RAID card establishes a hardware RAID on the storage device.

3. The mainboard as claimed in claim 2, It is characterized in that The first parameter value is a high level. After receiving the switching parameter of the first parameter value, the multiplexer will open at least one first channel corresponding to the controller to receive the first signal source from the controller.

4. The mainboard as claimed in claim 2, Features The second parameter value is a low level. After receiving the switching parameter of the second parameter value, the multiplexer will open at least one second channel corresponding to the connector to receive the second signal source from the RAID card.

5. The mainboard as claimed in claim 1, It is characterized in that In a case where the connector is not coupled to the RAID card, the switching parameter for generating the first parameter value is preset to the multiplexer, so that the controller establishes a software RAID on the storage device.

6. A method for switching signal sources, It is characterized in that Applicable to a storage device on a mainboard, the method for switching signal sources includes: A disk array RAID card is selectively coupled via a connector and a switching parameter is generated; detecting the switching parameter by a multiplexer coupled to the connector and a controller; and By means of the multiplexer, receiving a software RAID establishment signal from a controller or a hardware RAID establishment signal from the RAID card according to the switching parameter; Wherein, when the connector is not coupled to the RAID card, the connector generates the switching parameter of the first parameter value; Wherein, when the connector is coupled to the RAID card, the connector generates the switching parameter of the second parameter value; A storage device is coupled to the multiplexer, and the storage device is used to receive the software RAID establishment signal from the controller according to a first parameter value of the switching parameter or to receive the hardware RAID establishment signal from the RAID card according to a second parameter value of the switching parameter.

7. The method for switching signal sources as claimed in claim 6, Features It also includes: when the multiplexer receives the switching parameter of the first parameter value, the multiplexer receives a first signal source provided by the controller so that the controller establishes a software RAID on the storage device; when the multiplexer receives the switching parameter of the second parameter value, the multiplexer receives a second signal source provided by the RAID card so that the RAID card establishes a hardware RAID on the storage device.

8. The method for switching signal sources as claimed in claim 7, It is characterized in that The first parameter value is a high level. After receiving the switching parameter of the first parameter value, the multiplexer will open at least one first channel corresponding to the controller to receive the first signal source from the controller.

9. The method for switching signal sources as claimed in claim 7, It is characterized in that The second parameter value is a low level. After receiving the switching parameter of the second parameter value, the multiplexer will open at least one second channel corresponding to the connector to receive the second signal source from the RAID card.

10. The method for switching signal sources as claimed in claim 6, It is characterized in that When the connector is not coupled to the RAID card, the switching parameter generating the first parameter value is preset to the multiplexer so that the controller establishes a software RAID on the storage device.

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