Backend Switch Address Translation for Storage Controller Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current storage systems face inefficiencies in communication between storage controllers due to the lack of defined communication procedures via backend switches, leading to performance overhead and the need for special dedicated communication paths.
Innovation Solution
A storage system configuration where backend switches identify and translate addresses to enable direct communication between storage controllers and storage devices, allowing efficient data transfer without requiring a special dedicated communication path between controllers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a special dedicated communication path is provided between storage controllers, then communication efficiency between controllers is improved, but device complexity and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the communication path between storage controllers with the existing backend switch infrastructure. Instead of providing a dedicated communication path between controllers, the system utilizes the backend switch as a shared communication medium, allowing controllers to communicate through the same infrastructure used for storage device connections. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated communication paths while maintaining communication efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The backend switch is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the communication path between storage controllers and the connection interface for storage devices. By making the backend switch universal, the system eliminates the need for separate dedicated communication paths, reducing device complexity while maintaining communication capabilities.
2Device complexity
If communication between storage controllers is performed via backend switch, then device complexity is reduced, but communication performance deteriorates due to lack of defined procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes communication procedures between storage controllers before actual data transfer operations begin. The system defines protocols and procedures for address translation, frame routing, and data transmission through the backend switch in advance. This preliminary setup ensures that when communication occurs, it follows efficient predefined paths rather than requiring complex real-time decision-making, thus maintaining performance while using the shared backend switch.
3Adaptability or versatility
If address translation is performed in backend switch, then communication flexibility between controllers and devices is improved, but processing overhead in switch increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements address translation by creating and maintaining address mapping tables in the backend switch. Instead of performing complex real-time address translations, the system pre-establishes address mappings between controllers and storage devices. When communication occurs, the switch simply looks up addresses in these pre-created tables, significantly reducing processing overhead while maintaining communication flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Efficient communication between storage controllers can be performed. A storage system includes one or more backend switches that connect a first processor, a second processor, and one or more storage devices to each other. Each backend switch identifies a destination of a frame by referring to the frame received from the first processor. In a case where the destination of the frame is the second processor, each backend switch translates a first address, included in the frame, for specifying a location on the second memory in an address space of the first processor, into a second address for specifying the location on the second memory in an address space of the second processor, and transfers the frame including the second address to the second storage controller.