Expander Circuit for Multi-Controller Solid State Storage Fault Tolerance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solid-state storage systems lack mature fault-tolerant technologies, resulting in inadequate data protection and access speed compared to disk-based systems, despite their potential for higher speeds.
Innovation Solution
Implementing multi-ported solid-state persistent storage devices with expander circuits that connect to multiple storage controllers and networks, providing redundancy and fault tolerance through dual ports and erasure coding protocols like RAID, ensuring data accessibility even in case of controller or network failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If solid state storage devices are used to improve access speed, then speed is improved, but fault tolerance and data protection are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is segmented into multiple independent storage controllers (first storage controller and second storage controller) that can operate independently. Each controller has its own interface to the solid state storage device, creating separate access paths that can function independently during failures, thus providing fault tolerance while maintaining high access speeds through parallel processing capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
An expander circuit is introduced as an intermediary component between the storage controllers and the solid state storage device. This expander circuit manages the interfaces and data paths, enabling multiple controllers to access the storage device simultaneously while providing intelligent routing and failover capabilities that ensure continuous access even when one controller fails
2Reliability
If dual-port disk-based storage devices are used to improve fault tolerance, then reliability is improved, but access speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical disk-based storage devices with solid state storage devices that have no moving parts. This substitution eliminates the mechanical limitations of disk arrays while maintaining the dual-port architecture for fault tolerance, thereby achieving both high reliability and high access speeds characteristic of solid state technology
3Reliability
If multiple interfaces are provided for fault tolerance, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expander circuit is designed as a universal interface component that can handle multiple storage controllers and solid state storage devices through standardized protocols. This multi-functional design allows the same expander circuit architecture to support various configurations of controllers and storage devices, reducing overall system complexity while providing comprehensive fault tolerance through multiple interfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a solid state persistent storage device, and a plurality of storage controllers to manage access of the solid state persistent storage device. An expander circuit is connected to the solid state persistent storage device and has a plurality of computer-based bus interfaces connected to the corresponding plurality of storage controllers.