Dual Line SSD Simultaneous PCIe and Network Access

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current SSD technologies, such as NVMe and NVMeoF, face issues with data inaccessibility when PCIe endpoints or network interfaces fail, underutilization of storage capacity, and inability to operate as both network initiators and targets simultaneously, leading to performance degradation and inefficiencies in accessing remote storage.

Innovation Solution

A dual line SSD device that establishes connections through both a network interface and a PCIe endpoint, using NVMeoF and NVMe protocols, to enable simultaneous access and data transfer between local and remote servers, and to manage data transfer and storage efficiently even during endpoint or network interface failures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If NVMe SSD is used for local storage access, then access latency is reduced, but data becomes inaccessible when PCIe endpoint fails

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess latencyVSAvoiddata accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the interface parameter from single-mode (either PCIe or Ethernet) to dual-mode by implementing both PCIe EP and Ethernet interface with NVMeoF protocol, allowing the system to switch between direct-attached high-speed mode and network-based fallback mode, thus resolving the contradiction between low latency and high reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces Ethernet network interface and NVMeoF protocol as an intermediary pathway for data access. When PCIe endpoint fails, data can still be accessed through the network interface using NVMeoF, which acts as a mediator between the storage device and host systems, ensuring continued accessibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If NVMeoF SSD is used for remote storage access, then data accessibility is maintained when network is down, but the SSD operates as storage target only and cannot provide both storage and RNIC functionalities simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata accessibilityVSAvoiddual functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling the SSD to operate in multiple roles simultaneously - it can function as both a storage device (target) and a network interface controller (initiator) through the PCIe EP interface. This allows the same device to provide both data storage and network initiation capabilities without requiring separate dedicated devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If iSCSI storage is used for remote storage access, then remote storage access is enabled, but CPU processing cycles are significantly consumed and access latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote storage accessVSAvoidaccess latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the CPU-intensive iSCSI protocol with the NVMeoF protocol over Ethernet interface. NVMeoF is designed to offload processing from the CPU and provides more efficient data path, replacing the traditional TCP/IP stack-based iSCSI approach with a dedicated storage protocol that reduces processing overhead and latency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Device complexity

If single interface SSD is used, then device complexity is low, but storage capacity and bandwidth are under-utilized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface configurationVSAvoidstorage utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic interface selection where the system can adaptively choose between PCIe EP and Ethernet interfaces based on operational needs. The dual interface configuration allows flexible switching between local high-speed access and remote network-based access, optimizing storage utilization without requiring complex manual configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11194743B2Method of accessing a dual line SSD device through PCIe EP and network interface simultaneously

Publication Date: 2021.12.07 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A method of accessing a dual line solid-state drive (SSD) device through a network interface and a PCIe EP simultaneously. The method includes: (1) establishing, by the dual line SSD device, a connection with a remote server through the network interface, (2) establishing, by the remote server, an administrative queue with the dual line SSD device, (3) establishing, by the remote server, an input/output queue with the dual line SSD device by posting a command in the administrative queue over the network interface to initiate transfer of data, (4) establishing, by the dual line SSD device, a connection with a local server over the PCIe EP, (5) establishing, by the local server, the administrative queue over the PCIe EP, and (6) establishing, by the local server, the input/output queue by posting the command in the administrative queue over the PCIe EP to initiate transfer of the data.