I/O Scheduling Device With Trans-Descriptor Operators

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Solution Overview

Problem

In multi-host environments, existing data storage systems face challenges in efficiently scheduling I/O operations across multiple hosts, leading to performance issues such as latency and service starvation.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an I/O scheduling device with trans-descriptor operators and schedulers that allow for full duplex scheduling of trans-descriptors, enabling parallel pathways for data transfer and independent scheduling of transmission and reception operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single scheduler is used to manage I/O operations for multiple hosts, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity and response time deteriorate due to sequential processing of transmit and receive operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescheduler structureVSAvoidI/O operation throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single scheduler into two separate schedulers: a transmitting scheduler dedicated to handling transmit operations and a receiving scheduler dedicated to handling receive operations. This segmentation allows both schedulers to operate independently and simultaneously, eliminating the sequential processing bottleneck while maintaining manageable device complexity through clear functional separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-dimensional sequential scheduling approach to a two-dimensional parallel scheduling architecture. By introducing independent transmit and receive schedulers that can operate concurrently, the system adds a temporal dimension of parallelism, enabling simultaneous processing of different I/O operations without increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If parallel transmit and receive pathways are implemented, then the productivity and data transfer efficiency improve, but the device complexity increases due to multiple schedulers and trans-descriptor operators

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer efficiencyVSAvoidscheduling architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functionality of multiple trans-descriptor operators into a unified pool that can be accessed by both transmitting and receiving schedulers. This consolidation reduces the number of separate operator instances needed while maintaining parallel processing capabilities, thereby improving data transfer efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The trans-descriptor operators are designed with multi-functionality, serving both transmit and receive operations. This universal design allows the same operator infrastructure to support multiple scheduling pathways, reducing the need for duplicate specialized components and balancing the trade-off between productivity and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If trans-descriptors are queued for processing, then the reliability and continuity of data transfer improve, but the loss of time increases due to queuing and scheduling delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer continuityVSAvoidscheduling latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary queuing of trans-descriptors in organized data structures before processing. By pre-organizing and buffering descriptors in advance, the system ensures continuous processing without interruptions, improving reliability while minimizing actual waiting time through efficient pre-scheduling and ready-state maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent maintains continuous useful action by keeping trans-descriptors in a ready state in queues, prepared for immediate processing. The independent transmit and receive schedulers continuously pull from these queues without idle time, ensuring uninterrupted data transfer flow. This continuity reduces effective latency by eliminating gaps between processing operations while maintaining reliability through structured queue management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS8984208B2Method and apparatus for I/O scheduling in data storage device

Publication Date: 2015.03.17 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An input/output (I/O) scheduling device comprises a plurality of trans-descriptor operators each corresponding to one of a plurality of hosts and configured to sustain a trans-descriptor and transmit the trans-descriptor to a hardware module, a transmitting scheduler configured to schedule transmission of trans-descriptors through communication with the plurality of trans-descriptor operators, and a receiving scheduler configured to schedule reception of trans-descriptors through communication with the trans-descriptor operators.