PCIe Storage Device Unifying Local and Cloud Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing PCIe storage cards are limited to either local storage or network storage, failing to support both simultaneously, which hampers data accessibility and management in modern big data environments requiring high reliability and availability.
Innovation Solution
A data accessing method and PCIe storage device that enables multiple PCIe storage devices to communicate via a network protocol, allowing direct data access and sharing of resources, including cloud and local storage, through NVMe protocol requests, with DMA controllers facilitating data transfer between cloud storage servers and the host's DRAM.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If PCIe storage cards are dedicatedly used for either local storage or network storage, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability and versatility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The PCIe storage card is designed to perform multiple functions - it can operate as both a local storage device and a network storage device. The card includes both a storage controller for local storage operations and a network interface card for network communication, enabling it to access both local and remote storage resources through a single device interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines previously separate functions (local storage and network storage) into a single PCIe storage card. The storage controller and network interface card are integrated within the same device, allowing unified management of both local and remote storage resources through one interface.
2Speed
If PCIe storage devices access data through traditional network protocols, then network storage is enabled, but the data access speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The PCIe bus acts as an intermediary that enables direct communication between the host and storage devices. Instead of using traditional network protocols that route data through multiple network layers, the PCIe bus provides a direct high-speed pathway, allowing the storage card to access data at PCIe speeds while still maintaining network storage capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the storage access path into two modes: local storage access through the storage controller via PCIe bus for high-speed operations, and network storage access through the network interface card for remote resource access. This segmentation allows optimization of each access path for its specific use case.
3Productivity
If multiple PCIe storage devices communicate via network protocol, then resource sharing is enabled, but the communication overhead and access time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The PCIe bus serves as a direct intermediary for communication between multiple PCIe storage devices and the host. This eliminates the need for traditional network protocol processing and routing, reducing communication overhead and enabling faster data transfer while still allowing multiple devices to share resources through the unified PCIe interface.
4Ease of operation
If the operating system manages heterogeneous storage types separately, then control precision is maintained, but the ease of operation and management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The PCIe storage card presents a unified interface that handles both local and network storage operations through a single device. This allows the operating system to manage both storage types through consistent drivers and interfaces, reducing the complexity of managing heterogeneous storage while maintaining the ability to access both local and remote resources.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a data accessing method applied to a PCIe storage device. The method comprises: receiving a data reading/writing request sent by a host; calculating a physical storage location of data to be accessed, based on the data reading/writing request, wherein the physical storage location comprises a plurality of PCIe storage devices communicating according to a network protocol; acquiring the data from the plurality of PCIe storage devices based on the network protocol and transferring the data to the host. Also, the disclosure provides a PCIe storage device. With the solution of the disclosure, a PCIe storage device is enabled to access both local and cloud storages, the small-capacity problem with the local storage is addressed and operations of a host's operating system for managing two different types of heterogeneous storages are simplified.