NVRAM Buffer Segmentation in Storage Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional storage systems using flash drives face bandwidth limitations, leading to inefficiencies in data writing and scalability issues due to external NVRAM buffers, which occupy significant physical space and increase parity overhead.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating NVRAM buffers within individual storage drives and enabling direct communication between them via a switched network, reducing the need for external buffers and improving scalability and network bandwidth efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If external NVRAM buffers are used to temporarily store information, then write latency is improved, but physical space requirements and parity overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewrite latencyVSAvoidphysical space requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the storage system into autonomous storage drives, each with its own integrated NVRAM buffer. This segmentation eliminates the need for a centralized external buffer, reducing overall physical space requirements while maintaining buffering capabilities at each drive level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The NVRAM buffer is nested within each storage drive unit, creating a hierarchical structure where the buffer is integrated into the drive rather than existing as a separate external component. This nesting reduces the total system footprint while preserving the buffering function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Productivity

If external NVRAM buffers are used to temporarily store information, then write operations can proceed asynchronously, but device complexity and scalability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveasynchronous write operationsVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the buffering function into individual drive units, each drive operates independently with its own NVRAM buffer. This eliminates complex coordination requirements between centralized buffers and simplifies the overall system architecture, improving scalability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each storage drive with integrated NVRAM buffer operates autonomously, managing its own buffering operations without requiring complex external coordination. This self-service approach reduces system complexity while maintaining asynchronous write capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Quantity of substance

If bandwidth limitations exist for writing to SSD, then data must be queued, but system efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata write capacityVSAvoidsystem efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The NVRAM buffer enables preliminary writing of data to the drive before SSD bandwidth is available. Data is staged in the faster NVRAM memory first, then transferred to the SSD when bandwidth permits, improving overall system efficiency without losing write capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12105620B2Storage system buffering

Publication Date: 2024.10.01 PURE STORAGE INC

AI summary

A system including embedded storage devices is described. A method of system operation includes determining, by a processing device of a storage system controller operatively coupled via a network to embedded storage devices, that data is to be stored in a first storage portion of a first storage device of the embedded storage devices. The method also includes buffering the data in a second storage portion of a second embedded storage device of the embedded storage devices.