Hybrid Memory Block Storage Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hybrid memory devices, such as NVDIMMs, are limited in how they can be accessed and utilized by users and system resources, lacking effective methods to expose them as available block storage devices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a hybrid memory device with both volatile and non-volatile memory, such as DRAM and flash memory, and using identification schemes and device drivers to expose it as a block storage device, allowing users and resources to interact with it through visual representations and logical block addressing, enabling data storage, backup, and system recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hybrid memory devices are implemented with combination of volatile and non-volatile memory, then data persistence and system resilience are improved, but device accessibility and ease of operation deteriorate due to lack of standard block storage interface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a block storage interface layer that acts as an intermediary between the hybrid memory device and the operating system/resources. This interface translates standard block storage operations into hybrid memory-specific operations, enabling seamless access while maintaining data persistence capabilities. The interface includes components such as a block storage driver and translation layer that mediate between conventional storage access patterns and the underlying hybrid memory architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If hybrid memory device is exposed as block storage device, then versatility and adaptability are improved, but device complexity increases due to additional interface and driver requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal block storage interface that allows the hybrid memory device to function as a standard block storage device across different operating systems and applications. The interface design enables the device to be accessed using conventional storage protocols while maintaining its unique hybrid memory characteristics. This multi-functionality approach allows the same device to serve both as high-performance memory and as persistent storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the hybrid memory device functionality into distinct layers: a physical device layer, a block storage interface layer, and an application layer. This segmentation allows each layer to operate independently with well-defined interfaces, reducing overall system complexity. The block storage interface layer handles translation and protocol management, while the physical device layer manages the hybrid memory operations.
3Ease of operation
If visual representation and drag-and-drop interface are implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional user interface components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a visual representation of the hybrid memory device as a copy or abstraction of a traditional storage device in the user interface. This visual copy presents familiar drag-and-drop functionality and storage device icons that users already understand from conventional storage devices. The visual interface layer maps user actions on the virtual representation to actual operations on the physical hybrid memory device, maintaining simplicity while enabling advanced functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for block storage using a hybrid memory device are described. In at least some embodiments, a hybrid memory device includes a volatile memory portion, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM). The hybrid memory device further includes non-volatile memory portion, such as flash memory. In at least some embodiments, the hybrid memory device can be embodied as a non-volatile dual in-line memory module, or NVDIMM. Techniques discussed herein employ various functionalities to enable the hybrid memory device to be exposed to various entities as an available block storage device.