Network Storage Device with Segmented Message Processing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional network-attached storage devices are inefficient due to the CPU being a bottleneck in processing power and communication bandwidth, especially when scaling up storage capacity, as they require processing of both control and data messages, which places a high burden on the CPU and random-access memory.
Innovation Solution
Implementing separate processing paths for control messages and data messages, where control messages are routed through the processing device for administrative and management operations, while data messages are communicated directly between the storage client and storage device without going through the processing device, reducing the workload on the CPU and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the CPU processes both control messages and data messages, then the storage device can provide comprehensive storage services, but the CPU becomes a bottleneck in processing power and communication bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the message processing function into two independent paths: control message processing through the CPU and data message processing through a dedicated data path. This segmentation allows the CPU to handle only control messages while data messages bypass the CPU, thereby reducing the CPU processing burden and eliminating it as a bottleneck while maintaining comprehensive storage service capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dedicated data path as an intermediary component that handles data message processing between the network interface and storage devices. This intermediary data path relieves the CPU from processing data messages, allowing the CPU to focus solely on control messages while maintaining efficient data transmission.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the CPU processes all messages, then complete control and data operations can be performed, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments message processing into control message path (through CPU) and data message path (bypassing CPU). This segmentation enables the system to maintain complete control capability while reducing power consumption by avoiding unnecessary CPU processing of data messages.
Solution Approach 2:
The dedicated data path operates autonomously to handle data message processing without requiring CPU intervention. This self-service mechanism allows data transmission to occur independently, reducing the energy-consuming CPU operations while maintaining full operational control through the separate control message path.
3Ease of operation
If data messages go through the processing device, then comprehensive message handling is achieved, but communication bandwidth requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication path into control message channel (through CPU) and data message channel (dedicated data path). This segmentation allows data messages to bypass the CPU processing path, thereby reducing the communication bandwidth requirements of the main processing path while maintaining complete message handling capability through the combined paths.
4Productivity
If a powerful processing device is used to handle all messages, then processing efficiency is maintained, but scaling storage capacity becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments message processing into two independent paths, allowing the use of less powerful processing devices since the CPU only needs to handle control messages while data messages are processed by a dedicated data path. This segmentation enables easier scaling of storage capacity without requiring proportionally more powerful processing devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The dedicated data path acts as an intermediary that handles data message processing, allowing the use of simpler, less powerful processing devices. This intermediary data path enables storage capacity scaling without being constrained by the processing power of the main CPU.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage product manufactured as a computer component to facilitate network storage services. The storage product has no central processing unit. The storage product has a bus connector connectable to a computer bus. An external processor connected to the computer bus can operate as a central processing unit. The storage product has a random-access memory, a network interface, a processing device, and a storage device having a storage capacity accessible via the network interface. The bus connector provides the processor with access to the random-access memory. The processing device of the storage product can identify and separate, among messages received by the network interface, first messages for processing by the external processor and second messages for processing by the storage device.