Solid state hard disk and electronic system

Abstract

The present invention discloses a solid-state drive and electronic system. The solid-state drive comprises a CXL interface, a controller, and a non-volatile storage module group. The controller includes a CXL control module, which is connected to a master device via the CXL interface and is used to control the switching of the solid-state drive between a master device state and a slave device state. The master device state is a working state in which the drive actively accesses data from an external device, while the slave device state is a working state in which the drive passively receives access from an external device. Upon detecting a power failure in the master device, the CXL control module switches the solid-state drive to the master device state to read the memory data of the master device and back up the memory data in the non-volatile storage module group. The present invention provides a solution that balances cost and data storage reliability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electronic technology, and in particular to a solid state hard disk and an electronic system. Background Art

[0002] With the development of electronic technology, the application of various electronic products is becoming more and more extensive, and the data storage reliability of products significantly affects the user experience.

[0003] To minimize the impact of abnormal power outages on data reliability, the current approach is to add an uninterruptible power supply (USP) to the entire system to minimize the occurrence of abnormal power outages. However, USP increases power consumption and floor space in the computer room, resulting in high costs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above problems, the present invention is proposed to provide a solid state drive and an electronic system that overcome the above problems or at least partially solve the above problems.

[0005] In a first aspect, a solid-state drive is provided, comprising:

[0006] CXL interface, controller, and non-volatile storage module group;

[0007] The controller includes a CXL control module, which is connected to the master device via the CXL interface and is used to control the switching of the solid-state drive between a master device state and a slave device state; the master device state is a working state in which the solid-state drive actively accesses data from an external device, and the slave device state is a working state in which the solid-state drive passively receives access from an external device;

[0008] When power failure of the master device is detected, the CXL control module switches the solid-state drive to the master control device state to read the memory data of the master device and back up the memory data in the non-volatile storage module group.

[0009] Optionally, the solid-state hard disk further includes: a data compression module, which is connected between the controller and the non-volatile storage module group to compress the read memory data and then store it in the non-volatile storage module group.

[0010] Optionally, the solid-state hard disk further includes: a cache module, which is connected between the controller and the data compression module to cache the read memory data and synchronously transmit the memory data to the data compression module for compression.

[0011] Optionally, the controller further includes: a non-volatile storage control module, wherein the non-volatile storage control module is connected to the non-volatile storage module group to control access to the non-volatile storage module group.

[0012] Optionally, the non-volatile storage module group includes a data storage partition and a backup partition; wherein the data storage partition is used to store data obtained in the slave device state; and the backup partition is used to store data obtained in the master device state.

[0013] Optionally, when detecting that the master device is powered on, the solid-state drive determines whether the memory data of the master device is backed up and saved; if so, the master device state is maintained, and after restoring the memory data to the memory of the master device, the CXL control module switches the solid-state drive to the slave device state.

[0014] Optionally, when the memory data is backed up and saved to the non-volatile storage module group, the solid-state drive generates and saves a backup identifier; when it is detected that the main device is powered on, the solid-state drive detects the backup identifier to determine whether the memory data of the main device is backed up and saves it, and deletes the backup identifier after restoring the memory data to the memory of the main device.

[0015] In a second aspect, an electronic system is provided, comprising:

[0016] A main device, a CXL converter, a memory module, and a solid-state drive according to any one of the first aspects;

[0017] The memory module and the solid-state drive are both connected to the host device via the CXL converter.

[0018] Optionally, when the solid-state hard drive determines that the master device is powered, the memory module is used to store the memory data of the master device, and the solid-state hard drive is in the slave device state to receive the storage data sent by the master device; when the solid-state hard drive determines that the master device is not powered, the CXL control module switches the solid-state hard drive to the master device state to read the memory data in the memory module through the CXL converter, and back up the memory data and save it in the non-volatile storage module group.

[0019] Optionally, when the solid-state drive determines that the master device is powered on again, the solid-state drive determines whether the memory data is backed up and saved; if so, the solid-state drive maintains the master device state and restores the memory data to the memory module through the CXL converter, and then the CXL control module switches the solid-state drive to the slave device state.

[0020] The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present invention have at least the following technical effects or advantages:

[0021] In embodiments of the present invention, a solid-state drive and electronic system are provided. The solid-state drive controller includes a Compute Express Link (CXL) control module. The CXL control module connects to a master device via a CXL interface and controls the SSD's switching between master and slave states. This allows the SSD to function as a slave when the master device is operating normally, receiving data from external devices and functioning as a standard SSD. When the master device loses power, the SSD, leveraging CXL's support for mesh topologies, can switch to master state to actively read or write data from external devices. This allows the SSD to access the master device's memory data and back up the memory data in a non-volatile storage module group. By controlling the switching between the two device states through the CXL control module, the SSD can function as a standard SSD while also serving as a memory data backup in the event of an abnormal power outage. This provides high flexibility and a low-cost solution for ensuring data reliability.

[0022] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of the present invention. In order to more clearly understand the technical means of the present invention, it can be implemented in accordance with the contents of the specification. In order to make the above and other purposes, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the specific implementation methods of the present invention are specifically listed below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiment below. The accompanying drawings are for illustration purposes only and are not to be considered as limiting the present invention. The same reference symbols are used throughout the drawings to represent the same components. In the drawings:

[0024] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a solid state hard disk in an embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 ;

[0025] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a solid state hard disk in an embodiment of the present invention Figure 2 ;

[0026] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of the electronic system in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited by the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to enable a more thorough understanding of the present disclosure and to fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. In addition, in the following description, descriptions of well-known structures and technologies are omitted to avoid unnecessary confusion of the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0028] The accompanying drawings illustrate various schematic diagrams of structures according to embodiments of the present disclosure. These figures are not drawn to scale, and for the purpose of clarity, certain details are exaggerated and certain details may be omitted. The shapes of the various regions and layers shown in the figures, as well as their relative sizes and positional relationships, are merely exemplary and may deviate in practice due to manufacturing tolerances or technical limitations. Those skilled in the art may design regions / layers with different shapes, sizes, and relative positions as needed.

[0029] It should be noted that if a non-volatile dual in-line memory module (NVDIMM) is used to connect to the host device, memory data will be saved to the NVDIMM's negative-AND flash memory (NAND) in the event of an abnormal power outage. Because NVDIMMs typically have a smaller capacity and cost several times more than ordinary dual in-line memory modules (DIMMs), they cannot meet the current data center's demand for large-scale memory and also bring high costs.

[0030] Please refer to Figure 1 An embodiment of the present application provides a solid-state drive, comprising: a CXL interface 1, a controller 2, and a non-volatile storage module group 3. The controller 2 includes a CXL control module 21, which is connected to a master device via the CXL interface 1 and is used to control the switching of the solid-state drive between a master device state and a slave device state. The master device state is a working state in which data from an external device is actively accessed (active access to data from an external device includes the solid-state drive reading data from an external device and writing data to an external device), and the slave device state is a working state in which access from an external device is passively received (passive access to data from an external device includes the external device reading data from the solid-state drive and the external device writing data to the solid-state drive). Upon detecting that the master device loses power, the CXL control module 21 switches the solid-state drive to the master device state to read the memory data of the master device and backs up the memory data in the non-volatile storage module group 3.

[0031] It should be noted that the host device connected to the SSD can be a CPU or motherboard, and the SSD and host device can be connected directly or through a CXL switch, without any limitation. When the SSD is in master control mode, the memory data of the host device can be read from the host device's integrated memory components or from an external memory module, without any limitation.

[0032] It should also be noted that when the main device loses power, a backup power supply can be set to provide short-term power supply so that the solid-state drive can complete the backup storage of memory data. The backup power supply can be a short-term power supply component such as a large capacitor, which is not limited here.

[0033] Next, combine Figure 1 and Figure 2 To introduce the structure and performance of this solid state drive in detail.

[0034] The solid-state drive provided in this application uses a CXL interface 1 to connect to a master device and, in combination with a CXL control module 21, can fully leverage CXL technology's support for mesh topology structures (based on CXL technology, nodes in a mesh topology structure can be accessed as both master devices and slave devices) and its memory expansion capabilities to enable the solid-state drive to switch between master and slave device states.

[0035] In an optional embodiment, if Figure 2 As shown, the solid state drive may further include a data compression module 4 , which is connected between the controller 2 and the non-volatile storage module group 3 to compress the read memory data and then store it in the non-volatile storage module group 3 .

[0036] Specifically, configuring data compression module 4 to compress memory data can reduce the amount of memory data required to be stored by non-volatile storage module group 3, compensating for the slower storage speed of non-volatile storage units and ensuring faster memory data backup. Furthermore, data compression module 4 can be configured to input the compressed memory data into non-volatile storage module group 3 for storage in real time during the memory data compression process, eliminating the need to wait for compression to complete before inputting the memory data into non-volatile storage module group 3. This further improves the speed of memory data storage and reduces the required backup power supply duration.

[0037] In an optional embodiment, if Figure 2 As shown, the solid state drive may further include a cache module 5 , which is connected between the controller 2 and the data compression module 4 to cache the read memory data and synchronously transmit the memory data to the data compression module 4 for compression.

[0038] Specifically, because cache module 5 is often a volatile memory unit such as DRAM or SRAM, which has a faster storage speed, cache module 5 is configured to first cache the memory data read by controller 2, which can more quickly write the memory data of the main device to the solid-state drive, thereby reducing the backup power supply duration required for the main device. Furthermore, cache module 5 and controller 2 can also be integrated on the same chip to further improve the speed of reading memory data to the solid-state drive.

[0039] Of course, the solid state drive may not be provided with the data compression module 4 . In this case, the cache module 5 is connected between the controller 2 and the non-volatile storage module group 3 .

[0040] In an optional embodiment, if Figure 2 As shown, the controller 2 of the solid state drive may further include a non-volatile storage control module 22 , which is connected to the non-volatile storage module group 3 to control access to the non-volatile storage module group 3 .

[0041] Specifically, the controller 2 is divided into a CXL control module 21 and a non-volatile storage control module 22, which can distinguish between the execution of switching the state of the solid-state hard disk device and the access control of the non-volatile storage module group 3, and set the function of actively acquiring data externally and the function of controlling the storage of data internally in different modules to avoid functional conflicts.

[0042] In an optional embodiment, the non-volatile storage control module 22 can also configure the path for data storage in the non-volatile storage module group 3 based on the different operating states of the solid-state drive. For example, in the master device state, the non-volatile storage control module 22 can control data to be stored in the non-volatile storage module group 3 after passing through the cache module 5 and the data compression module 4, thereby accelerating storage and reducing the required backup power supply duration. In the slave device state, the non-volatile storage control module 22 can control data to be stored directly in the non-volatile storage module group 3 through the controller 2, thereby reducing the lifespan of the cache module 5 and reducing the waste of compression computing resources.

[0043] In an optional embodiment, the non-volatile storage module group 3 may be flash memory, phase-change memory, or magnetic memory, etc., without limitation. The non-volatile storage module group 3 may also include a data storage partition and a backup partition. The data storage partition is used to store data acquired in the slave device state; the backup partition is used to store data acquired in the master device state.

[0044] Specifically, the non-volatile storage module group 3 can be pre-partitioned using a driver. This prevents conflicts between backed-up memory data and original stored data, ensuring data reliability. Furthermore, due to the pre-partitioning, data can be written to and stored at high speeds by continuously accessing the same or similar addresses during memory data storage. This improves the speed of memory data storage during an abnormal power outage and the speed of memory data readout upon subsequent power restoration.

[0045] In an optional embodiment, upon detecting that the master device has been powered on, the SSD first determines whether the master device's memory data is backed up. If the master device's memory data is backed up, the CXL control module 21 maintains the SSD's master device status and controls the restoration of the memory data stored in the non-volatile storage module group 3 to the master device's memory. The CXL control module 21 then switches the SSD back to slave device status, allowing it to function as a standard SSD, thereby ensuring that the memory data is fully and reliably restored to the master device.

[0046] In a specific implementation, the solid-state drive can determine whether the memory data of the main device is backed up and stored in a variety of ways. This can be done by detecting whether the backup partition of the non-volatile storage module group 3 stores data, or by detecting the historical storage operation records of the solid-state drive. This is not limited here.

[0047] In an optional embodiment, the solid-state drive may generate and store a backup identifier when backing up memory data to the non-volatile storage module group 3. When the master device is powered on, the solid-state drive detects the backup identifier to determine whether the master device's memory data is backed up and deletes the backup identifier after restoring the memory data to the master device's memory.

[0048] For example, each time the CXL control module 21 detects an abnormal power outage on the master device, it switches the SSD to the master device state. After reading the memory data from the master device's memory, the CXL control module 21 generates a "YES" identifier and stores it at a designated storage address. Each time the master device powers back on, the CXL control module 21 checks the designated storage address. If the "YES" identifier is stored there, it assumes that the backed-up memory data exists; otherwise, it assumes that the backed-up memory data does not exist.

[0049] Alternatively, an identifier may be permanently stored at a designated storage address on the SSD. After reading memory data from the master device's memory, the CXL control module 21 modifies the identifier to "YES," for example, to indicate that the memory data is backed up. After restoring the memory data to the master device's memory, the identifier may be modified to "NO," for example, to indicate that the memory data is not backed up. The CXL control module 21 detects the designated address to determine whether the master device's memory data is backed up.

[0050] Based on the same inventive concept, the embodiment of the present application further provides an electronic system, such as Figure 3 As shown, the system includes: a main device 301, a CXL switch 302, a memory module 303, and the solid state drive 304 provided in the above embodiment. Both the memory module 303 and the solid state drive 304 are connected to the main device 301 through the CXL switch 302.

[0051] It should be noted that the main device 301 can be a CPU or motherboard, etc., and is not limited here. The electronic system can also be equipped with a backup power supply to provide short-term power supply in the event of a power outage, so that the solid-state drive 304 can complete the backup storage of memory data. This backup power supply can be a short-term power supply component such as a large capacitor, and is not limited here.

[0052] CXL Switch 302 is a converter based on CXL technology that enables data transmission between connected devices through format conversion. Memory module 303 and solid-state drive 304 can exchange data based on CXL Switch 302 and can also exchange data with master device 301.

[0053] Memory module 303 can be a standard DIMM, i.e., a standard memory stick. It does not require non-volatile memory, thus providing low-cost memory space for host device 301. Memory module 303 can be integrated with a CXL interface for interconnection and communication with CXLSwitch 302, or it can be interconnected and communicated with CXL Switch 302 via an external CXL interface converter, without limitation.

[0054] The solid state drive 304 is the solid state drive provided in the aforementioned embodiment, and is interconnected and communicates with the CXL Switch 302 via a CXL interface.

[0055] In an optional embodiment, when the solid-state drive 304 determines that the main device 301 is powered normally, the memory module 303 is used to store the memory data of the main device 301, and the solid-state drive 304 is in a slave device state to receive the storage data sent by the main device 301, that is, at this time the solid-state drive 304 is used as an ordinary solid-state drive to store data sent by an external device.

[0056] When the solid-state drive 304 determines that the master device 301 is not powered (powered off), the solid-state drive 304 receives a power-off signal (or the solid-state drive 304 detects that the master device has lost power), triggering the CXL control module to switch the solid-state drive 304 to the master device state, so as to read the memory data in the memory module 303 through the CXL switch 302 and back up the read memory data in the non-volatile storage module group, thereby preventing the memory data from being lost due to power failure.

[0057] When SSD 304 determines that master device 301 has been powered back on, it determines whether any memory data is backed up. If so, SSD 304 remains in master mode and restores the previously backed-up memory data to memory module 303 via CXL Switch 302. After restoring the memory data, the CXL control module switches SSD 304 back to slave mode, allowing it to continue functioning as a standard SSD.

[0058] Since the solid-state drive 304 included in the electronic system described in the embodiment of the present application is the solid-state drive described in the previous embodiment of the present application, the operating principle and structure of the solid-state drive have been described in detail above and will not be repeated here. Any electronic system that includes the solid-state drive of the embodiment of the present application falls within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0059] The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present invention have at least the following technical effects or advantages:

[0060] The solid-state hard disk and electronic system provided by the embodiment of the present invention are provided with a controller for the solid-state hard disk including a CXL control module, the CXL control module being connected to the main device via a CXL interface and being used to control the switching of the solid-state hard disk between the master device state and the slave device state. In this way, when the main device is working normally, the solid-state hard disk is in the slave device state and can receive data sent by the external device, so that it can be used as an ordinary solid-state hard disk. When the main device loses power, combined with the performance of the CXL technology supporting the mesh topology structure, the solid-state hard disk can switch to the master device state to actively read the data of the external device, so that the memory data of the main device can be read and the memory data backup is saved in the non-volatile storage module group. In this way, by controlling the switching of the two groups of device states through the CXL control module, the solid-state hard disk can have the functions of an ordinary solid-state hard disk, and can also serve as a backup carrier for memory data in the event of abnormal power failure, with high flexibility, and also realizes a low-cost solution to ensure data reliability.

[0061] The algorithm and display provided herein are not inherently related to any particular computer, virtual system or other device. Various general-purpose systems can also be used together with the teachings based on this. According to the above description, it is obvious that the structure required for constructing this type of system. In addition, the present invention is not directed to any specific programming language. It should be understood that various programming languages ​​can be utilized to realize the content of the present invention described herein, and the above description of specific languages ​​is for the purpose of disclosing the best mode of the present invention.

[0062] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are described. However, it is understood that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known methods, structures, and techniques are not shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this description.

[0063] Similarly, it should be understood that in order to streamline the disclosure and aid in understanding one or more of the various inventive aspects, in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together into a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof.

[0064] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the modules in the devices of the embodiments can be adaptively modified and installed in one or more devices different from the embodiments. The modules, units, or components of the embodiments can be combined into a single module, unit, or component, and furthermore, they can be divided into multiple sub-modules, sub-units, or sub-components. All features disclosed in this specification (including the abstract and accompanying drawings), and all processes or units of any method or device disclosed therein, can be combined in any combination, unless at least some of such features and / or processes or units are mutually exclusive. Unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying abstract and accompanying drawings) may be replaced by an alternative feature that serves the same, equivalent, or similar purpose.

[0065] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that although some embodiments herein include certain features and not other features included in other embodiments, the combination of features from different embodiments is intended to be within the scope of the present invention and to form different embodiments.

[0066] It should be noted that the above embodiments illustrate the present invention and do not limit it. Any reference symbols placed between brackets should not be construed as limiting the present invention. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of components or steps not listed in the present invention. The word "a" or "an" preceding a component does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such components. The present invention can be implemented by means of hardware comprising several different components and by means of appropriately programmed computers. In embodiments where several means are listed, several of these means may be embodied by the same item of hardware. The use of the words first, second, and third, etc. does not indicate any order. These words may be interpreted as names.

Claims

1. A solid state drive, characterized in that: include: CXL interface, controller, and non-volatile storage module group; The controller includes a CXL control module, which is connected to the master device via the CXL interface and is used to control the switching of the solid-state drive between a master device state and a slave device state; the master device state is a working state in which the solid-state drive actively accesses data from an external device, and the slave device state is a working state in which the solid-state drive passively receives access from an external device; Among them, when it is detected that the master device is powered off, the CXL control module switches the solid-state drive to the master device state to read the memory data of the master device and back up and save the memory data in the non-volatile storage module group; when it is detected that the master device is powered on, the solid-state drive determines whether the memory data of the master device is backed up and saved; if so, the master device state is maintained, and after restoring the memory data to the memory of the master device, the CXL control module switches the solid-state drive to the slave device state.

2. The solid-state drive according to claim 1, wherein: Also includes: A data compression module is connected between the controller and the non-volatile storage module group to compress the read memory data and then store it in the non-volatile storage module group.

3. The solid-state drive according to claim 2, wherein: Also includes: A cache module is connected between the controller and the data compression module to cache the read memory data and synchronously transmit the memory data to the data compression module for compression.

4. The solid-state drive according to claim 1, wherein: The controller further includes: A non-volatile storage control module is connected to the non-volatile storage module group to control access to the non-volatile storage module group.

5. The solid-state drive according to claim 1, wherein: The non-volatile storage module group includes a data storage partition and a backup partition; The data storage partition is used to store data acquired in the slave device state; and the backup partition is used to store data acquired in the master device state.

6. The solid-state drive according to claim 1, wherein: When backing up the memory data and saving it to the non-volatile storage module group, the solid-state hard disk generates and saves a backup identifier; When detecting that the master device is powered on, the solid state drive detects the backup identifier to determine whether the memory data of the master device is backed up and deletes the backup identifier after restoring the memory data to the memory of the master device.

7. An electronic system, characterized in that: include: A main device, a CXL converter, a memory module, and a solid-state drive according to any one of claims 1 to 6; The memory module and the solid-state drive are both connected to the host device via the CXL converter.

8. The electronic system according to claim 7, wherein: When the solid-state hard disk determines that the master device is powered, the memory module is used to store memory data of the master device, and the solid-state hard disk is in the slave device state to receive storage data sent by the master device; When the solid-state drive determines that the master device is not powered, the CXL control module switches the solid-state drive to the master device state to read the memory data in the memory module through the CXL converter and back up the memory data in the non-volatile storage module group.

9. The electronic system according to claim 8, wherein: When the solid-state drive determines that the master device is powered on again, the solid-state drive determines whether the memory data is backed up and saved; if so, the solid-state drive maintains the master device state and restores the memory data to the memory module through the CXL converter, and then the CXL control module switches the solid-state drive to the slave device state.

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