NIC Storage Emulation Layer for Distributed Fabric Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems lack efficient methods to provide distributed storage services to host computers, limiting performance, resiliency, and security by not effectively utilizing network interface cards (NICs) for offloading storage operations.
Innovation Solution
A method that employs a network interface card (NIC) to access external storages through a shared port, using a network fabric storage driver and emulation layer to present external storage as local storage, with features like data efficiency, security, and performance optimization, leveraging DSAN services for improved operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external storage is accessed through network fabric, then storage capacity and resiliency are improved, but access performance and security are worsened compared to local storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a storage emulation layer as an intermediary between the host computer and external storage devices. This layer presents external storage as if it were local storage to the host, while actually managing network fabric access to external storage devices. The emulation layer translates host storage requests into network fabric protocols, thereby improving access performance and security without sacrificing the capacity and resiliency benefits of external storage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If NIC is used for packet forwarding, then network functionality is maintained, but storage operation offloading capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the NIC to perform multiple functions simultaneously - it continues to handle packet forwarding for network operations while also providing storage access capabilities through the shared port. The storage emulation layer on the NIC allows the card to offload storage operations from the host CPU while maintaining its network forwarding functionality, achieving multi-functionality that resolves the contradiction between network versatility and storage efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If external storage is presented as local storage, then ease of operation is improved, but system complexity increases due to emulation layer
Solution Approach 1:
The storage emulation layer creates a virtual copy or representation of external storage that appears as local storage to the host computer. This virtual disk or volume presents the same interface and characteristics as physical local storage, allowing host programs to access external storage with the same simplicity as local storage without requiring awareness of the underlying network fabric or external device connections. The copying approach maintains operational simplicity while managing the necessary complexity in the background.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments provide a method of providing distributed storage services to a host computer from a network interface card (NIC) of the host computer. At the NIC, the method accesses a set of one or more external storages operating outside of the host computer through a shared port of the NIC that is not only used to access the set of external storages but also for forwarding packets not related to an external storage. In some embodiments, the method accesses the external storage set by using a network fabric storage driver that employs a network fabric storage protocol to access the external storage set. The method presents the external storage as a local storage of the host computer to a set of programs executing on the host computer. In some embodiments, the method presents the local storage by using a storage emulation layer on the NIC to create a local storage construct that presents the set of external storages as a local storage of the host computer.