Microvisor Emulated Persistent Memory Across Power Domains
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Solution Overview
Problem
NVDIMM-dependent storage service functionality is not available in common server devices, leading to lower performance and efficiency due to the use of SSD storage devices, which lack byte-level addressing and are less efficient.
Innovation Solution
A microvisor processing system with a microvisor memory system that emulates a persistent memory resource by copying data between memory subsystems in different power domains using a memory interface/data mover engine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If SSD storage devices are used to cache and journal data in common server devices, then device compatibility is improved, but performance and efficiency deteriorate due to lack of byte-level addressing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a microvisor subsystem as an intermediary layer between the client device and the memory subsystems. This microvisor emulates NVDIMM-dependent storage service functionality by monitoring metadata, identifying data modifications, and coordinating copies between memory subsystems in different power domains, thereby providing byte-level addressing capability without requiring physical NVDIMM hardware in common server devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a copying mechanism where the microvisor generates data copy instructions to replicate modified data from a first memory subsystem to a second memory subsystem across different power domains. This copying approach emulates the persistent memory behavior of NVDIMMs, enabling storage service functionality that was previously only available with dedicated NVDIMM hardware
2Productivity
If NVDIMM devices are used to provide persistent memory functionality, then storage service performance is improved, but device complexity increases due to specialized hardware requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The microvisor subsystem acts as a software-based intermediary that emulates NVDIMM functionality in common server devices. By implementing the persistent memory emulation logic in software rather than requiring specialized NVDIMM hardware, the patent achieves NVDIMM-level performance while maintaining compatibility with standard server hardware architectures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables common server devices to perform NVDIMM-dependent storage service functions through the microvisor's emulation capability. This universal approach allows the same server hardware to provide both standard storage services and enhanced persistent memory services without requiring separate specialized hardware components
3Reliability
If data is copied between memory subsystems in different power domains, then data persistence and reliability are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the memory system into multiple memory subsystems operating in different power domains. The microvisor monitors metadata for each subsystem independently and generates targeted copy instructions only when modifications are detected, creating a modular approach to data persistence that manages complexity through division of functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The microvisor implements a feedback mechanism by continuously monitoring metadata for data modifications in the first memory subsystem. This feedback loop triggers data copy operations only when necessary, automatically managing the complexity of cross-power-domain data synchronization while ensuring data persistence and reliability
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-power-domain emulated persistent memory resource system includes a memory interface/data mover subsystem coupled to a second memory subsystem in a second power domain, and a microvisor subsystem coupled to the memory interface/data mover subsystem and a first memory subsystem in a first power domain that is different than the second power domain. The microvisor subsystem presents an emulated persistent memory resource to a client device using the first memory subsystem, and monitors metadata for the first memory subsystem to identify modification(s) of data in the first memory subsystem. In response, the microvisor subsystem uses the memory interface/data mover subsystem to copy the data from the first memory subsystem to the second memory subsystem. Following unavailability of the first power domain and corresponding loss of the data on the first memory subsystem, the memory interface/data mover subsystem copies the data from the second memory subsystem to the first memory subsystem.