NAS Data Mover Power Control and Switch Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Network Attached Storage (NAS) systems face reliability issues due to single points of failure and excessive cabling, which complicates scaling and maintenance, as they require multiple connections between components to ensure high availability.
Innovation Solution
Integrating a network switch and power control into each data mover device, allowing for distributed switching functionality and minimizing cabling by using an 'always on' power control portion with a microcontroller and power control device to manage power and communication, enabling communication between data movers and a control station even in case of failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple control stations and switches are duplicated to eliminate single points of failure, then system reliability is improved, but the number of cables and physical connections increases linearly, making the system complex and difficult to scale
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the switch functionality directly into the data mover device, merging previously separate components (data mover and switch) into a single integrated unit. This eliminates the need for separate switch devices and their associated cabling, thereby maintaining reliability through redundancy while significantly reducing cabling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The data mover device is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both a data mover and a network switch. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain high availability through redundant data movers while eliminating the need for separate switch infrastructure, thereby reducing the linear increase in cables that would otherwise be required.
2Use of energy by moving object
If data movers are completely powered down to save energy, then power consumption is reduced, but the ability to receive power management commands is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The data mover device is segmented into two power domains: an always-on portion containing the switch and power management logic, and a sleepable portion containing the main data mover functions. This segmentation allows selective powering down of energy-intensive components while keeping the control plane active, enabling both energy savings and retained controllability.
Solution Approach 2:
The always-on power management portion is prepared in advance to handle power state transitions. It continuously monitors and manages power states of other components, enabling seamless transitions between active and sleep states without losing the ability to receive or initiate power management commands.
Data Source
AI summary
A network attached storage system includes at least one data moving device coupled to a control station for receiving commands from the control station, each of the at least one data moving devices including a board having mounted thereon a file server portion and a power control portion, wherein the power control portion receives a continuous power supply and controls the application of power to the file server portion based on commands from the control station.