Dual-Channel Storage System Reducing Host Control Burden
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high operational burden on host-side control units in data storage systems due to the reliance on expensive high-speed channels for data exchange between storage devices, which affects system performance and increases hardware costs.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dual-channel data storage system where a high-speed channel is used for host-side control unit operations and a low-speed broadcast channel is used for data exchange, copying, or moving between data storage devices, allowing these operations to be performed without assistance from the host-side control unit, thereby reducing the operational burden.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the host-side control unit uses high-speed channels for data exchange between storage devices, then data transmission speed is improved, but hardware cost and operational burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data transmission into two types: high-speed data access through host-side control unit and low-speed data exchange between storage devices. This segmentation allows different channel types to be used for different purposes, reducing the need for multiple high-speed channels while maintaining performance where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a low-speed channel as an intermediary for data exchange between storage devices, eliminating the need for data to traverse through the expensive high-speed host-side control unit channel. This intermediary channel handles routine data exchange operations independently.
2Ease of operation
If the host-side control unit handles data exchange between storage devices, then data access is simplified, but operational burden and performance are affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables storage devices to perform data exchange operations autonomously through the low-speed channel without requiring host-side control unit intervention. The storage devices serve themselves for routine data exchange, freeing the host control unit to focus on high-priority operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides data exchange operations into two categories: those requiring host-side control unit involvement and those that can be handled independently by storage devices through the low-speed channel, reducing the operational burden on the host.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple high-speed channels are provided for each storage device, then data access capability is improved, but hardware cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the low-speed channel multi-functional by using it for both host communication and inter-storage device data exchange, eliminating the need for separate dedicated channels and reducing overall hardware quantity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments communication functions into high-speed data access through host channels and low-speed data exchange through storage device interconnections, allowing each channel type to be optimized for its specific purpose rather than requiring all channels to be high-speed.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a data storage system having dual channels, which comprises a host. The host comprises a host-side control unit, a first data storage device, and at least one second data storage device. The first data storage device comprises a first data-side controller. The host-side control unit is connected to the first data storage device via a high-speed channel, and accesses data of the first data storage device via the high-speed channel. The first data storage device is connected to each of the second data storage devices via a low-speed channel, respectively. The low-speed channel is a bus of broadcast type. The first data-side controller of the first data storage device manages data exchanging, data copying, and data moving between the first data storage device and the second data storage device via the low-speed channel.