Embedded PCIe Switch Erasure Coding for Multi-NVMe Data Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for RAID data protection in NVMe SSDs, such as AIC RAID controllers, are costly, complex, and inefficient, particularly for large data sets, due to physical limitations and high power consumption, and do not effectively manage multiple RAID domains or support large numbers of storage devices without increasing CPU load and network latency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a PCIe switch with integrated Erasure Code or RAID controller within Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) that manages RAID engines and supports Erasure Coding, allowing for configuration via Baseboard Management Controllers (BMCs) and virtualization of storage devices to reduce complexity and power consumption, while enabling efficient data protection across multiple SSDs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If AIC RAID controllers are used to support multiple NVMe SSDs, then data protection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to requiring multiple separate controllers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple RAID controller functions into a single PCIe switch device. The PCIe switch integrates RAID engine capabilities, allowing it to manage multiple NVMe SSDs and provide data protection across the entire chassis through a single device rather than requiring multiple separate AIC RAID controllers.
Solution Approach 2:
The PCIe switch is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a standard PCIe switching device for data transmission and as a RAID controller for data protection. This universal device performs multiple roles including data routing, RAID encoding/decoding, and management of multiple storage devices within the same chassis.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple AIC RAID controllers are deployed to support 24 NVMe SSDs, then storage capacity is improved, but power consumption increases by up to 150 Watts per chassis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the power consumption of multiple AIC RAID controllers into a single PCIe switch device. By consolidating the RAID control functions into one device, the total power consumption is dramatically reduced from 150 Watts (6 controllers × 25 Watts each) to the power consumption of a single PCIe switch, while still supporting the same number of NVMe SSDs.
3Reliability
If 6 AIC RAID controllers are used to support 24 NVMe SSDs, then data protection coverage is improved, but management complexity increases due to multiple RAID domains
Solution Approach 1:
The single PCIe switch provides universal management capability across all NVMe SSDs in the chassis. It creates a unified RAID domain that spans all connected storage devices, allowing centralized configuration and management through a single interface rather than requiring separate management of multiple independent RAID domains.
4Reliability
If AIC RAID controllers are used for RAID protection, then data protection is provided, but cost increases with each controller costing approximately $400
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates the functionality of multiple expensive AIC RAID controllers into a single PCIe switch device. This consolidation reduces the total cost from 6 controllers × $400 = $2,400 to a single PCIe switch with integrated RAID capabilities, providing the same data protection coverage at a fraction of the cost.
Data Source
AI summary
A topology is disclosed. The topology may include at least one Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) Solid State Drive (SSD) and a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) switch. The PCIe switch may include an external connector to enable the PCIe switch to communicate with a processor, at least one connector to enable the PCIe switch to communicate with the NVMe SSD, a Power Processing Unit (PPU) to configure the PCIe switch, and an Erasure Coding controller including circuitry to apply an Erasure Coding scheme to data stored on the NVMe SSD.