Logical Storage Controller Maps Remote NVMe as Local Volumes

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Solution Overview

Problem

In cloud computing environments, virtual machines (VMs) running on hosts at data centers face constraints in accessing storage volumes due to physical limitations of NVMe controllers, making it difficult to dynamically allocate storage based on real-time needs, as each VM may have varying storage requirements that are unknown ahead of time.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a logical storage controller that maps remote storage devices over a network as logical namespaces, allowing VMs to access them as local storage, using NVMe controllers, RDMA, iWARP, or other protocols, enabling dynamic allocation and expansion of storage volumes based on demand.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If physical NVMe controllers are used to provide storage to VMs, then storage access performance is improved, but the number of storage volumes is constrained by physical limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage access performanceVSAvoidnumber of storage volumes

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

A logical storage controller is introduced as an intermediary between VMs and physical storage devices. The logical controller receives I/O requests from VMs, converts them to NVMe commands, and manages access to remote storage devices over the network. This mediator layer enables VMs to access remote storage with performance接近local storage while overcoming physical connection limitations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from local physical storage connections to remote network-based storage access. By moving storage resources to a different dimension (remote servers connected via network), the system overcomes the physical port limitations of NVMe controllers while maintaining high-performance access through protocols like NVMe over Fabrics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If storage volumes are pre-allocated to VMs, then storage availability is ensured, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates due to inability to dynamically adjust to real-time needs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage availabilityVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The logical storage controller implements dynamic storage allocation that adapts to VM storage needs in real-time. Storage volumes can be dynamically created, expanded, or contracted based on actual demand without requiring pre-allocation. This dynamic approach ensures storage availability when needed while optimizing resource utilization by releasing unused capacity back to the pool.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables storage resources to be automatically allocated and managed based on VM demands without manual intervention. The logical storage controller automatically provisions storage volumes, manages capacity allocation, and adjusts resources in response to changing storage needs, eliminating the need for static pre-allocation and improving overall resource efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If remote storage devices are accessed over a network, then storage capacity and flexibility are improved, but access performance compared to local storage deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacity and flexibilityVSAvoidaccess performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical/local storage access paths with network-based access mechanisms. By using optimized network protocols (NVMe over Fabrics, RDMA, iWARP) and hardware offload devices, the system achieves remote storage access performance that approaches or matches local storage speeds while providing the flexibility and capacity of network-attached storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9529773B2Systems and methods for enabling access to extensible remote storage over a network as local storage via a logical storage controller

Publication Date: 2016.12.27 MARVELL ASIA PTE LTD

AI summary

A new approach is proposed that contemplates systems and methods to support elastic (extensible/flexible) storage access in real time by mapping a plurality of remote storage devices that are accessible over a network fabric as logical namespace(s) via a logical storage controller using a multitude of access mechanisms and storage network protocols. The logical storage controller exports and presents the remote storage devices to one or more VMs running on a host of the logical storage controller as the logical namespace(s), wherein these remote storage devices appear virtually as one or more logical volumes of a collection of logical blocks in the logical namespace(s) to the VMs. As a result, each of the VMs running on the host can access these remote storage devices to perform read/write operations as if they were local storage devices via the logical namespace(s).