Network Disk Controller for Local-Performance Storage Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network storage devices are not well-suited for home networks, as they often require expensive file servers with insufficient performance for multimedia applications, and USB mass storage media are difficult to share among multiple devices due to inherent limitations.
Innovation Solution
A network disk controller that manages communications between a storage medium and a host across a network, employing a protocol engine and command processing engine to facilitate efficient access and retransmission of packets, allowing multiple hosts to access a single storage medium without executing a file system, and using a SATA connection to optimize performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a network file server is used for storage, then storage capacity and sharing capability are improved, but cost increases and performance for multimedia applications becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the storage function from the computing function by using a dedicated storage device connected via SATA interface, separate from the host computer. This allows the storage device to be optimized for storage performance while the host handles multimedia processing, resolving the contradiction between storage sharing capability and cost/performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a network interface card and driver as intermediaries that enable the storage device to communicate with multiple hosts over the network while maintaining local-performance characteristics. The driver translates network requests into local storage commands, allowing cost-effective SATA storage to achieve network file server functionality without the high costs and performance limitations of traditional network file servers.
2Ease of manufacture
If USB mass storage media is used, then cost is reduced, but sharing among multiple devices becomes difficult due to inherent limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device is designed with universal multi-functionality by implementing both SATA interface for high-performance local access and network interface capabilities for multi-device sharing. This allows the same storage device to function as both a local high-speed storage device and a network-attached storage device, enabling cost-effective multi-device sharing that USB mass storage cannot achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts the storage device's access mode based on the requesting device's needs. When accessed by a host with the appropriate driver, the storage device provides high-performance direct access similar to local storage. When accessed over the network by other devices, it provides shared access capability. This dynamic behavior enables both cost-effectiveness and multi-device sharing.
3Productivity
If storage media is dedicated to one application, then performance is optimized, but sharing among multiple systems becomes inconvenient and duplicates content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a network dimension to the traditional local storage architecture. By implementing network interface capabilities in the storage device, content can be accessed from multiple dimensions - both locally by the host computer with high performance and remotely by other network devices. This eliminates the need to duplicate content across multiple devices while maintaining optimized storage performance.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a network storage device is used, then sharing capability is improved, but network delays reduce performance compared to local storage
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses preliminary action by pre-buffering data in the storage device's memory before transfer. The storage device can prepare data for transfer and maintain ready queues, reducing the impact of network delays. This allows the storage device to respond to requests more quickly than traditional network storage by having data prepared in advance, while still maintaining sharing capability.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for providing a storage medium accessible across a network to a host. The storage medium's operation is generally controlled by a network disk controller. The network disk controller may receive a packet from a remote host, decapsulate the packet, and act on the packet to either transmit data from a storage medium or write data to a storage medium. Generally, the network disk controller does not execute any file system. Rather, the file system for communication between the host and controller is executed by the host. The performance of the network disk controller generally matches that of a local (i.e., non-network) disk controller in terms of data access and writing.