NV-DIMM ASIC Sideband Data Persistence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data protection methods in cloud computing environments fail to intelligently manage and secure data stored in volatile memory, leading to potential loss or unauthorized access during power failures, as they lack the necessary logic to differentiate and securely transfer data to non-volatile storage.
Innovation Solution
A non-volatile in-line memory module (NV-DIMM) with an ASIC and a sideband channel is used to identify and transfer data from volatile memory to non-volatile memory, enabling intelligent data management and encryption, independent of the host's main processor, and using key-based encryption to secure the data even when the NV-DIMM is removed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If data is stored in volatile memory for cloud computing services, then access speed and processing efficiency are improved, but data loss occurs during power failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a non-volatile memory module as an intermediary between volatile memory and persistent storage. This intermediary automatically captures and preserves data from volatile memory during power failures, preventing data loss while maintaining the speed benefits of volatile memory during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary data preservation by continuously monitoring volatile memory and proactively transferring critical data to non-volatile memory before power failures occur. This preliminary action ensures data is already protected when power is lost, eliminating the need for reactive recovery measures.
2Reliability
If conventional data protection methods are used, then data is restored after power failure, but the data may be overwritten or compromised due to lack of intelligent management
Solution Approach 1:
The non-volatile memory module operates autonomously with embedded intelligence to automatically identify, capture, and protect data from volatile memory without requiring complex host system intervention. The module self-manages the data protection process, reducing the burden on the host system while ensuring reliable data recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the non-volatile memory module continuously monitors the state of volatile memory and adjusts its data capture operations accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that only relevant data is preserved and that the protection mechanism adapts to changing system conditions, preventing unnecessary overwriting.
3Reliability
If data is transferred to non-volatile storage for protection, then data persistence is improved, but access speed and processing efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the memory system into multiple layers: volatile memory for high-speed access during normal operation, non-volatile memory for data protection, and persistent storage for long-term archiving. This segmentation allows data to be accessed quickly from volatile memory when needed while ensuring protection in non-volatile memory, eliminating the need to slow down normal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial data protection by selectively transferring only critical or at-risk data to non-volatile memory rather than all data. This partial action approach maintains high access speeds for frequently used data in volatile memory while providing protection for essential data, avoiding the performance penalty of protecting every byte.
4Reliability
If intelligent data management is implemented, then data security and prevention of overwrite are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The non-volatile memory module serves as an intelligent intermediary that handles complex data management tasks autonomously. By offloading these complex security and management functions to the intermediary module, the host system's complexity is reduced while data security is enhanced through dedicated protection logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple functions into the non-volatile memory module: data capture, data protection, autonomous management, and secure storage. This consolidation creates a single integrated solution that provides intelligent data management without distributing complexity across multiple separate components, simplifying the overall system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
Data temporarily stored in volatile memory (e.g., RAM) on a host machine can be protected using a component such as an NV-DIMM, which includes components such as an ASIC, non-volatile memory, and a battery. If power is lost to the host, the battery provides the ASIC with the power needed to determine data in the volatile memory that is protected. This protected data then can be transferred to the non-volatile memory on the NV-DIMM. When power is restored, an application or other entity can contact the NV-DIMM to recover the data, which can be transferred over a sideband channel to be restored as appropriate for a prior operation. In at least some embodiments, the NV-DIMM can receive a key over the sideband channel that can be used to encrypt and decrypt the data for further security.