Distributed FTL Shared NVM Write Ownership

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional SSD technologies face challenges in maintaining data integrity when multiple hosts write to the same non-volatile memory (NVM) device simultaneously, leading to difficulties in managing shared NVM devices effectively.

Innovation Solution

A distributed flash translation layer (FTL) scheme is implemented in a shared NVM system, where a memory controller manages write ownership reservations and FTL snapshots to allow multiple hosts to access and write to NVM devices while ensuring data integrity through a switching fabric and policy tables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple hosts write to the same NVM device simultaneously, then storage capacity sharing is improved, but data integrity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacity sharingVSAvoiddata integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an NVM management module as an intermediary between multiple hosts and NVM devices. This module manages write ownership reservations and FTL snapshots, coordinating access to prevent data corruption while allowing multiple hosts to share storage capacity. The intermediary handles the complexity of multi-host coordination, isolating hosts from direct conflicts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by requiring hosts to reserve write ownership before writing data. The NVM management module grants write ownership reservations in advance, and hosts fetch FTL snapshots before write operations. These preliminary steps ensure that data integrity is maintained before actual write operations occur, preventing conflicts rather than resolving them afterward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If write ownership reservation is implemented, then data integrity is improved, but access complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrityVSAvoidaccess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The NVM management module automatically manages write ownership reservations and FTL snapshots without requiring complex host-side coordination logic. The system self-services by handling ownership granting, revoking, and snapshot management internally, reducing the complexity burden on hosts while maintaining data integrity through systematic control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9952788B2Method and apparatus for providing a shared nonvolatile memory system using a distributed FTL scheme

Publication Date: 2018.04.24 POINT FINANCIAL

AI summary

One embodiment of the present invention discloses a shared non-volatile memory (“NVM”) system using a distributed flash translation layer (“FTL”) scheme capable of facilitating data storage between multiple hosts and NVM devices. A process of shared NVM system includes an NVM management module or memory controller able to receive a request from a host for reserving a write ownership. The write ownership allows a host to write information to a portion of storage space in an NVM device. Upon identifying availability of the write ownership associated with the NVM device in accordance with a set of predefined policy stored in the NVM management module, the request is granted to the host if the write ownership is available. The host is subsequently allowed to fetch the FTL snapshot from the NVM device for the write operation.