Modular Storage Devices with Dual High-Speed Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current consumer storage devices are not designed to work seamlessly with data center or edge data center products, relying on network connections for data transfer, which results in slow data throughput due to low-speed consumer connections saturating high-speed data center connections.
Innovation Solution
An ecosystem of connected and compatible storage devices with dedicated high-speed connectors, such as PCIe, enabling direct and fast data transfer from consumer devices to data centers or edge data centers, including a rack-mounted docking unit and multi-drive data storage devices with high-speed interfacing connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If consumer storage devices use network connections for data transfer, then device compatibility and ease of connection are improved, but data throughput speed deteriorates due to low-speed connections saturating high-speed data center connections
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the data transfer path into two distinct interfaces: a consumer-accessible connector (USB/Thunderbolt) for ease of connection and a dedicated high-speed connector (PCIe) for high-speed data transfer. This segmentation allows each interface to be optimized for its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack-mounted docking unit acts as an intermediary device that bridges consumer storage devices and data center equipment. It provides both consumer-accessible connectors and dedicated high-speed connectors, enabling seamless transition between low-speed consumer connections and high-speed data center connections without saturation.
2Speed
If dedicated high-speed connectors are added to storage devices, then data transfer speed is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage devices are designed with multi-functionality, incorporating both consumer-accessible connectors (USB/Thunderbolt) and dedicated high-speed connectors (PCIe) in a single device. This universal design allows the same device to interface with both consumer equipment and data center infrastructure, eliminating the need for separate devices for different connection types.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack-mounted docking unit serves as an intermediary that manages connector complexity by providing a standardized interface for both consumer and data center connections. This intermediary absorbs the complexity of multiple connector types, presenting a simplified interface to users while maintaining high-speed capability.
3Speed
If consumer storage devices are designed for high-speed connections, then data throughput is improved, but adaptability to different consumer connections deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Storage devices are designed with universal multi-functionality, incorporating multiple connector types (USB, Thunderbolt, PCIe) that can interface with different consumer equipment and data center infrastructure. This universal design enables a single device to adapt to various connection requirements while maintaining high-speed data transfer capability through the dedicated high-speed connector.
Data Source
AI summary
A data storage ecosystem that includes a series of devices of increasing size, designed to look and work together as a family, with at least one of the devices being a data storage device having a first consumer-accessible connector and a second high speed connector. The data storage ecosystem also includes a rack-mounted docking unit having a third high speed interfacing connector configured to couple to the second high speed connector of the data storage device when the data storage device is inserted into the rack-mounted docking unit.