Ethernet SSD Storage Traffic Differentiation via MPLS
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage traffic methodologies lack the ability to differentiate storage traffic from non-storage traffic, making it difficult to implement guaranteed quality of service (QoS) for Input/Output (I/O) operations, and switches and routers have limited buffering, leading to unpredictable network congestion and slowed I/O performance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system and method using Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) in Ethernet Solid State Drives (eSSDs) to differentiate storage services by matching I/O service requests to label switched paths (LSPs) based on storage and network parameters, allowing for the encapsulation of data packets into MPLS packets with a label stack for routing, thereby enabling quality of service differentiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing storage traffic methodologies are used, then network simplicity is maintained, but the ability to differentiate storage traffic from non-storage traffic is lost, making QoS implementation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces MPLS labels as an intermediary mechanism to differentiate storage traffic. The label stack in MPLS packets serves as a mediator that carries identification information for storage traffic without requiring complex inspection of packet contents, enabling QoS differentiation while maintaining network simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter space for traffic differentiation by using MPLS label values to identify storage traffic characteristics. Instead of analyzing complex packet payloads, the system uses label parameters (such as experimental bits, traffic class fields) to differentiate and prioritize storage traffic streams
2Productivity
If switches and routers with limited buffering are used, then device cost is reduced, but network congestion becomes unpredictable and I/O performance slows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing Label Switched Paths (LSPs) in advance for storage traffic. By pre-configuring dedicated paths with appropriate QoS parameters before traffic flows occur, the system ensures predictable I/O performance without requiring large buffers to handle sudden traffic bursts
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments network traffic into different LSPs based on storage traffic identification. By dividing the network path into dedicated segments for storage traffic versus general traffic, each segment can be optimized independently, ensuring reliable I/O performance even with limited buffering capacity
3Reliability
If MPLS label switching is implemented, then storage traffic differentiation and QoS are improved, but processing overhead and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex traffic differentiation logic from the data plane to the control plane. The NVM Express fabric interface handles MPLS label processing and LSP management, separating these functions from the high-speed data path switches and routers, thereby reducing processing overhead in the forwarding path
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for differentiated storage services with a Ethernet SSD includes receiving, at an Ethernet SSD (eSSD), an input/output (I/O) service request from a remote host via a multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) network. The I/O service request includes at least one parameter that may be used to match the I/O service request to a label switched path (LSP) based on the parameter(s). A storage traffic stream may then be opened between the eSSD and the remote host over the MPLS network according to the LSP.