Disk Array Controller Reconfigurable Data Path Switch
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
High-performance RAID controllers face bottlenecks due to limited physical ports, which restrict concurrent data transfer rates and require complex configurations for managing redundant data and failed drives, leading to inefficiencies in data retrieval and storage operations.
Innovation Solution
A novel Mapping Register and associated logic that dynamically configures data paths between logical and physical ports, enabling software-controlled storage device arrays and improving performance by using XOR operations for redundant data handling and flexible port assignments, allowing for efficient data transfer and reconstruction in case of drive failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple physical ports are used to increase concurrent data transfer rates, then data transfer performance is improved, but device complexity and configuration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a data path switch that allows any logical port to be dynamically assigned to any physical port through software control. This multi-functional switching architecture enables a limited number of physical ports to serve multiple logical functions, increasing concurrent data transfer capacity without proportionally increasing physical port count and associated complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic reconfiguration of data paths between logical and physical ports through software-controlled switching. This dynamic assignment allows the system to adapt port configurations based on operational needs, optimizing data transfer performance while maintaining manageable complexity through programmable rather than hardwired connections
2Reliability
If complex configurations are used to manage redundant data and failed drives, then data reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements software-controlled data path switching that automatically manages redundant data paths and failed drive configurations. The system self-configures data retrieval paths through software logic that handles redundancy management, eliminating the need for manual reconfiguration when drives fail and simplifying operational management while maintaining high reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the state of data path connections from fixed physical configurations to dynamically reconfigurable logical assignments. By using software to control the switching fabric, the system can rapidly reparameterize data paths to accommodate failed drives or optimize redundancy configurations, improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation through software automation
3Device complexity
If fixed data paths are used between logical and physical ports, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a data path switch as an intermediary component between logical ports and physical ports. This switching fabric acts as a mediator that decouples the logical interface from physical connections, allowing flexible software-controlled assignment of logical ports to physical ports without increasing overall system complexity. The intermediary switch handles the complexity of dynamic routing internally while presenting simple interfaces to both logical and physical sides
Data Source
AI summary
A disk array controller apparatus (10) is disclosed having at least two logical ports (Logical Port #0-Logical Port #3) for interfacing with a host (12) and having one or more physical ports (Physical Port #0-Physical Port #4), each physical port arranged for attaching at least one disk drive to the controller, and the controller including a switch (26), the switch providing dynamically configurable data paths (30) between the logical data ports and physical data ports, responsive to the contents of a Mapping Register (24). The Mapping Register defines a desired disk drive array by specifying an association of each logical port to one of the physical ports. The mapping register can be organized as a logical mapping register, comprising a field for each logical port of the controller, and includes provision for designating a redundant array for RAID operations.