Dual Interface Storage Controller for Simultaneous DAS and NAS Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Data storage devices struggle to receive and process data access requests simultaneously from both communication interfaces (DAS) and network interfaces (NAS), limiting their functionality to either exclusive DAS or NAS modes.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a data storage device with a controller that can receive and process data access requests from both DAS and NAS interfaces simultaneously, utilizing a scheduling module to prioritize and manage requests from multiple interfaces, allowing for dual access mode operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a data storage device operates in exclusive DAS or NAS mode, then it can process requests from one interface efficiently, but it cannot receive and process requests from both DAS and NAS interfaces simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface compatibilityVSAvoidrequest processing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The data storage device is designed to support multiple access modes (DAS and NAS) simultaneously through a unified controller architecture. The controller includes a scheduling module that can receive and manage requests from both DAS interfaces (e.g., USB, Thunderbolt) and NAS interfaces (e.g., network protocols), enabling the device to function as both a direct-attached storage and a network-attached storage device without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each mode

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a data storage device receives requests from multiple interfaces simultaneously, then it enhances functionality and data access speed, but it increases the complexity of request management and scheduling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedual access mode capabilityVSAvoidcontroller architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller architecture is segmented into distinct components: a receiving module that interfaces with both DAS and NAS protocols, a scheduling module that prioritizes and queues requests, and an executing module that processes requests. This segmentation allows each component to handle specific tasks independently, reducing the overall complexity of managing multi-interface requests while maintaining dual access mode capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10025516B2Processing data access requests from multiple interfaces for data storage devices

Publication Date: 2018.07.17 SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods are disclosed for processing data access requests received from a direct access storage (DAS) interface and/or a network access storage (NAS) interface. The data access requests may be received from the DAS interface and the NAS interface substantially simultaneously. The data access requests may be scheduled based on priorities for the data access requests.