Firmware Download Buffering for Out-of-Order Storage Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing firmware download processes in storage devices with low on-chip memory result in inefficient buffer usage and errors when firmware image chunks are out of sequence, leading to suboptimal bandwidth utilization and storage device overhead.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dedicated host memory buffer (HMB) for storing firmware images, where validation and reordering of out-of-sequence chunks occur before committing the data to the storage device, ensuring efficient and validated downloads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If firmware image chunks are downloaded sequentially to on-chip buffer, then buffer usage is simple, but buffer utilization is inefficient and out-of-sequence chunks cause errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a host memory buffer as an intermediary between the host and storage device buffer. The host memory buffer receives and validates firmware image chunks before they are transferred to the storage device buffer, allowing out-of-sequence chunks to be properly ordered and validated without blocking the storage device buffer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the firmware validation and reordering operations from the storage device side to the host side. This dimensional shift allows the storage device to focus on efficient buffer management while the host handles the complex validation logic, resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity.
2Reliability
If firmware chunks are retained in buffer until commit command, then verification is possible, but buffer is blocked leading to poor bandwidth utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs firmware validation and reordering in the host memory buffer before the chunks are transferred to the storage device buffer. This preliminary action ensures that only valid, properly ordered chunks are retained in the storage device buffer, eliminating the need to block the buffer until commit command and improving bandwidth utilization.
3Quantity of substance
If on-chip memory is limited, then device cost is reduced, but firmware download capability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the host memory buffer serve multiple functions: it acts as a temporary storage for firmware chunks, a validation buffer, a reordering buffer, and a verification workspace. This multi-functionality allows the storage device to maintain limited on-chip memory while still supporting flexible firmware download operations with out-of-sequence chunks.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for a firmware image download operation in a storage device includes a storage device controller that performs the firmware image download operation in the storage device. A dedicated host memory buffer (HMB) within a HMB stores a firmware image. Further, re-ordering or sorting of an address list mapped to the firmware image that is not in sequence is performed while the firmware image is in the dedicated HMB. Another system for a firmware image download operation in a storage device includes a driver of the host that performs the firmware image download operation in the storage device. A dedicated HMB within a HMB is used for the chunks of the firmware image that are not in sequence. Further, sorting an address list mapped to the firmware image that are not in sequence is performed while the chunks of the firmware image are in the dedicated HMB.