CXL Switch Arbitrates Map Data Storage to Reduce Buffer Memory
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
As the capacity of NAND flash memory increases, the capacity of map data also grows, requiring a high-capacity buffer memory in storage devices, which leads to increased development costs.
Innovation Solution
A computing system comprising a first and second storage device, a memory device storing map data for both storage devices, and a Compute Express Link (CXL) switch that arbitrates communications between the storage devices, memory, and external host, using separate CXL interfaces to manage communications independently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a high-capacity buffer memory is used in the storage device to manage increasing map data, then the storage capacity and map data management capability is improved, but the development cost and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the map data storage function from the storage device itself and places it in an external memory device. The storage device now only needs to maintain a small buffer for active map data, while historical and less frequently accessed map data is stored externally, reducing the buffer memory capacity requirements within the storage device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a CXL switch as an intermediary component that manages communication between the storage device, external memory device, and host. This mediator enables efficient data transfer and coordination without requiring the storage device to have large internal buffer capacity, as the intermediary handles the complexity of data management across multiple devices.
2Quantity of substance
If a high-capacity buffer memory is used in the storage device, then the map data management capability is improved, but the development cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the bulk map data storage to an external memory device, the patent eliminates the need for expensive high-capacity buffer memory in the storage device. This reduces development costs while maintaining the ability to manage large volumes of map data through the external storage resource.
Solution Approach 2:
The external memory device serves multiple storage needs, acting as an extension of the storage device's buffer capacity. This multi-functional approach allows a single external memory device to support map data storage for multiple storage devices, reducing overall system cost and complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple storage devices share a common memory device, then the system resource utilization is improved, but the communication complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The CXL switch acts as an intermediary that manages communication between multiple storage devices and the shared external memory device. It handles arbitration, data routing, and protocol management, enabling multiple devices to share memory resources efficiently without each device needing to implement complex communication logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The CXL switch autonomously manages the complexity of coordinating multiple storage devices accessing the shared memory. It performs self-service functions including request arbitration, data integrity management, and protocol conversion, allowing the storage devices to focus on their primary storage functions while the intermediary handles the communication complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A computing system includes a first storage device, a second storage device, a memory device, and a compute express link (CXL) switch. The memory device stores first map data of the first storage device and second map data of the second storage device. The CXL switch is connected with the first storage device, the second storage device, and an external host through a first interface, and arbitrates communications between the first storage device, the second storage device, and the external host. The first storage device is connected with the memory device through a second interface. The second storage device is connected with the memory device through a third interface. The first interface, the second interface, and the third interface are physically separated from each other.