BMC Proxy for NVMe-oF Keep Alive in Low Power Mode

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Solution Overview

Problem

NVMe-oF devices face a challenge in supporting Keep Alive signals while entering a low power mode, as they need to remain active to respond to these signals, which contradicts the power-saving objective of low power modes.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system where a Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) acts as a proxy to handle Keep Alive messages on behalf of NVMe-oF devices in low power mode, allowing the devices to conserve power without losing connectivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If NVMe-oF devices remain active to respond to Keep Alive signals, then system connectivity and reliability are maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem connectivityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) as an intermediary component that proxies Keep Alive signal responses on behalf of NVMe-oF devices. The BMC receives Keep Alive commands from hosts, generates appropriate responses, and forwards them to the host, allowing the NVMe-oF device to remain in a low-power state while maintaining the illusion of active connectivity. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by decoupling the device's power state from its connectivity appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If NVMe-oF devices enter low power mode to save energy, then power consumption is reduced, but ability to respond to Keep Alive signals is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidresponsiveness to Keep Alive signals

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The BMC acts as a mediator that handles Keep Alive signal processing while the NVMe-oF device remains in a low-power state. The device can enter low power mode and still have its connectivity status maintained through the BMC's proxy responses, preserving ease of operation at the system level without requiring the device itself to remain fully operational.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system functionality is segmented into two parts: the NVMe-oF device that can enter low-power mode, and the BMC that remains active to handle Keep Alive signaling. This segmentation allows the device to optimize its power consumption while the BMC maintains system-level connectivity operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If NVMe-oF devices stay active to maintain connectivity, then Keep Alive signal responsiveness is ensured, but power-saving objectives are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveconnectivityVSAvoidpower-saving capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The BMC serves as an intermediary that preserves connectivity reliability by handling Keep Alive signal exchanges, while the NVMe-oF device can enter low-power states to achieve power-saving objectives. The mediator absorbs the energy cost of maintaining connectivity, allowing the device to optimize its power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12298827B2System and method for supporting chassis level keep alive in NVMe-oF based system

Publication Date: 2025.05.13 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A chassis is disclosed. The chassis may include a processor, a switch, and at least one storage device in communication with a remote processor. The storage device may support an active power mode and a low power mode. A response to a Keep Alive (KA) message may be sent to the remote processor on behalf of the storage device when the storage device is in low power mode.