PCIe Controller Bypassing Processor for Storage I/O Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited computing power of processors in networked storage arrays becomes a bottleneck when handling high volumes of input/output operations from faster storage devices, leading to significant delays and reduced productivity, especially with the advent of solid state memory devices that increase the number of IOs from thousands to millions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for processor-agnostic data storage in a PCIe-based shared storage environment, where a controller device processes storage requests by distinguishing between data and control requests, converts formats as needed, and routes data requests directly to storage devices using a mapping table, bypassing the processor to optimize data access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a processor handles all storage I/O operations, then data access control and management are maintained, but the processor becomes a bottleneck that limits I/O throughput and increases access delay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments I/O request handling into two paths: control requests are routed to the processor for management, while data requests are directly routed to storage devices through the controller. This segmentation allows data I/O to bypass the processor bottleneck while maintaining processor control over storage operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the processor and storage devices. It receives I/O requests from the processor, distinguishes between control and data requests, and directly routes data requests to storage devices without requiring processor intervention, thereby reducing access delay and increasing throughput.
2Speed
If faster storage devices are deployed to increase I/O capacity, then storage performance is improved, but the processor's limited computing power becomes a bottleneck that prevents full utilization of the faster storage devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the I/O request processing path to allow data requests to bypass the processor and go directly to storage devices through the controller. This enables faster storage devices to operate at full speed without being constrained by processor computing power, thereby achieving both high storage speed and system throughput.
3Speed
If the controller device routes all requests through the processor, then request management and formatting are simplified, but data access speed is reduced due to processor bottleneck
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves as an intermediary that handles the complexity of request routing and formatting. It distinguishes between control and data requests, converts data requests to appropriate formats, and routes them directly to storage devices. This transfers the complexity burden from the processor to the controller, enabling fast data access while maintaining proper request management.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller performs self-service by autonomously handling data request formatting and routing without requiring processor intervention. It uses mapping tables stored in its memory to directly route data requests to the appropriate storage devices, thereby achieving fast data access while managing request complexity independently.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a system, a method and/or an apparatus of processor agnostic data storage in a PCIE based shared storage environment. In one aspect, a method includes processing a storage based request received at an adapter circuit of a controller device associated with a disk array to direct the storage based request to at least one of a processor of the disk array and a plurality of storage devices of the disk array. The method also includes routing, through an interface circuit of the controller device, the data request in the other format compatible with the storage device directly to at least one storage device of the plurality of storage devices of the disk array coupled to the controller device agnostic to a processor of the disk array to store a data associated with the data request based on a mapping table.