Network-Attached SSD Controller for High-Bandwidth Distributed Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distributed-computer systems face challenges in efficiently incorporating large numbers of high-capacity solid-state disks (SSDs) due to compatibility issues with different operating systems and hardware, leading to difficulties in achieving high-bandwidth and scalable data storage solutions.
Innovation Solution
The development of integrated hardware controllers that interconnect SSDs to a network using a target fabric controller (TFC), which includes dual media-access controllers, RDMA controllers, and an NVMe controller implemented in FPGA or ASIC, enabling efficient access and management of SSDs over a local area network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If SSDs are directly connected to host computers using traditional interfaces, then compatibility with different operating systems and hardware is improved, but bandwidth and storage scalability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network-attached storage controller as an intermediary device between SSDs and host computers. This controller includes a network interface card for network communication and a solid state drive interface for SSD connection, enabling SSDs to be accessed over the network while maintaining high bandwidth through protocols like NVMe over Fabrics. This resolves the contradiction by providing both network compatibility and high-performance data transfer.
2Quantity of substance
If large numbers of high-capacity SSDs are incorporated into distributed systems, then storage capacity is improved, but system complexity and management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single network-attached storage controller device. The controller integrates the network interface card, SSD interface, and storage management capabilities into one unified device. This allows multiple high-capacity SSDs to be managed through a single controller, increasing storage capacity while reducing system complexity by eliminating the need for separate management infrastructure for each SSD.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional storage architectures are used, then ease of deployment is maintained, but economic efficiency and scalability of cloud-computing facilities deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The network-attached storage controller is designed with universal functionality to work with multiple operating systems and hardware configurations through standard network protocols. The controller can be deployed in various cloud-computing environments and distributed systems, providing consistent high-performance storage access across different platforms. This multi-functionality maintains ease of deployment while significantly improving economic efficiency and scalability of cloud-computing facilities.
Data Source
AI summary
The current document is directed to a family of integrated hardware controllers that provides for cost-effective, high-bandwidth, and scalable incorporation of SSDs into large, distributed-computer systems. Certain implementations of the integrated hardware controller include dual media-access controllers for connection to one or more local area networks, remote-direct-memory-access (“RDMA”) controllers for supporting RDMA protocols over the local area network, an NVMe controller that provides access to an SSD. In certain integrated-hardware-controller implementations, the RDMA and NVMe controllers are implemented in one of a field programmable gate array (“FPGA”) and application-specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”).