Host Interface Circuit Dynamic Write Buffer Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Emerging non-volatile memory (NVM) technologies offer reduced latencies, but existing NVM interface protocols face limitations in scalability and efficiency due to inherent latencies, especially when handling a large number of storage clients through virtual function abstraction.
Innovation Solution
A host interface circuit dynamically allocates write buffers to virtual functions, managing submission queues and write buffer access to enhance data transfer speed and reduce latency, allowing for efficient communication between virtual functions and a media management system, particularly using PCIe interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing NVM interface protocols are used to handle a large number of storage clients through virtual function abstraction, then scalability is improved, but inherent latencies increase and efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The interface protocol is segmented into multiple queues (submission queues and completion queues) that can be independently managed and processed. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple client requests without sequential bottlenecks, reducing overall latency while maintaining scalability across numerous virtual functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-allocating and caching metadata in the media management system before actual data transfer operations. This preliminary metadata preparation reduces the processing time required during actual data operations, thereby decreasing latency while maintaining the ability to handle many concurrent clients.
2Reliability
If traditional interface protocols are used, then system stability is maintained, but data transfer speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The interface protocol implements dynamic queue management where submission and completion queues can be dynamically allocated, expanded, and managed based on current system load and client requirements. This dynamic approach enables faster data transfer by optimizing resource allocation in real-time while maintaining system stability through controlled access and error handling mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer of queues and metadata structures that mediate between the client devices and the NVM media devices. This intermediary layer buffers and manages data flow, enabling faster transfer speeds by decoupling client requests from media device operations while maintaining system stability through controlled interaction protocols.
3Productivity
If virtual function abstraction is implemented for multiple storage clients, then client handling capacity is improved, but resource allocation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interface protocol implements universal queue structures and metadata formats that can serve multiple virtual functions and client types through a common framework. This multi-functionality allows the same queue management mechanisms to handle diverse client requests, increasing client handling capacity while reducing resource allocation complexity through standardized processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes parameter changes by dynamically adjusting queue depths, allocation sizes, and metadata caching parameters based on system conditions and client requirements. These parameter adjustments enable efficient resource allocation across many clients without increasing structural complexity, as the same flexible parameters can be tuned to optimize performance for different workload scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed, including a host interface circuit configured to control communication between a set of virtual functions (VFs) and a media management system (MMS). The host interface circuit can consolidate commands from the set of VFs, dynamically allocate write buffers (WBs) from a set of available WBs to the set of VFs using the commands, and manage WB access for the set of VFs and provide write data to the MMS using the allocated WBs. For each VF in the set of VFs, the host interface circuit can manage a submission queue (SQ) for a respective VF from the set of VFs, receive a command from the respective VF, including one or more submission queue entries (SQEs), and coordinate the one or more received SQEs with allocated WBs.