Layered Fabric Protocols for Single-Message Storage Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional storage systems face inefficiencies in data management and storage operations, particularly in handling flash drives without integrated storage controllers, leading to unnecessary write operations and reduced reliability.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a direct-mapped flash storage system where the operating system initiates and controls processes, such as data allocation and garbage collection, without relying on lower-level storage controllers, and using non-volatile memory express (NVMe) for quick data access and buffering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional storage controllers are used to manage flash drives, then data management operations can be performed, but redundant write operations occur and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the storage controller functionality from the flash drive hardware and relocates it to the operating system. This eliminates the problematic lower-level controller that caused redundant write operations, while preserving the essential data management functions at a higher, more reliable level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces NVMe as an intermediary protocol layer between the operating system and the flash storage medium. This mediator enables efficient communication and data management without requiring a traditional storage controller, thus improving both reliability and write operation efficiency.
2Productivity
If lower-level storage controllers manage flash storage, then hardware-based control is achieved, but system complexity increases and performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the physical storage controller component from the flash drive assembly, extracting its management functions and relocating them to the operating system. This simplifies the hardware architecture while maintaining necessary control capabilities through software-based management.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating system is enhanced to perform multiple storage management functions previously handled by dedicated hardware controllers. This universal approach consolidates control capabilities within the existing OS infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity while improving data access performance.
3Speed
If traditional communication protocols are used in storage networks, then compatibility is maintained, but data transfer efficiency and latency are suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions NVMe as an intermediary protocol that sits between traditional storage protocols and the physical storage medium. This mediator layer enables high-speed data transfer optimized for flash storage characteristics while maintaining compatibility with existing storage network infrastructures through protocol translation and adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the communication protocol parameters from traditional SATA/NVLink specifications to NVMe-optimized parameters including higher queue depths, more I/O queues, and updated timing characteristics. These parameter changes enable faster data transfer speeds while the protocol design maintains backward compatibility through standardized interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
Layering communication fabric protocols, including: allocating storage resources on an initiating storage system for a data transfer, wherein a command protocol to implement the data transfer specifies an exchange of multiple messages; receiving, from a target storage system and into the allocated storage resources at the initiating storage system, data within a single message corresponding to the command protocol that specifies an exchange of multiple messages to implement the data transfer; and in response to receiving the data within the single message corresponding to the command protocol that specifies an exchange of multiple messages to implement the data transfer, generating a status message indicating receipt of the data.