PCIe Switch Fabric for Any-to-Any NVMe Storage Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current networked storage systems face inefficiencies in access to storage drives, particularly due to bottlenecks at single network ports, which limit performance and throughput, and the high costs and power consumption of symmetric multiprocessing systems used to implement any-to-any access capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a networked NVMe storage system with dedicated hardware, including collaborative switching devices and bridge devices, that provide any-to-any access capability through PCIe connections, eliminating the need for high-cost processors and enabling concurrent access to multiple NVMe devices without the overhead of software-based solutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If symmetric multiprocessing systems are used to implement any-to-any access capability, then access flexibility is improved, but cost and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces software-based access control mechanisms with hardware-based PCIe switches that natively support any-to-any connectivity. The PCIe switch fabric provides direct hardware routing between storage devices and client devices, eliminating the need for software processing and reducing power consumption while maintaining full access flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces PCIe switches as intermediary devices that facilitate any-to-any access between storage devices and client devices. These switches act as hardware mediators that enable direct communication paths without requiring symmetric multiprocessing systems, thereby reducing complexity and power consumption while preserving adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If software-based solutions are used to manage storage access, then flexibility is improved, but processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes software-based access management with hardware-based PCIe switch fabric that provides native any-to-any connectivity. The hardware routing eliminates software processing overhead while maintaining flexibility through configurable PCIe switch architectures that can be programmed to support various access patterns without software intervention.
3Device complexity
If single network port architecture is used, then device complexity is reduced, but access performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network architecture into multiple PCIe switches, each handling specific routing functions. This segmentation allows concurrent access paths to be established simultaneously, improving data access efficiency while keeping each individual switch relatively simple in design, thus balancing complexity and performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimension (single network port) architecture to a multi-dimensional PCIe switch fabric that provides multiple concurrent access paths. This dimensional expansion enables parallel data transfers between multiple storage devices and client devices simultaneously, dramatically improving productivity without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a networked system includes network interface ports to couple to a computer data network, PCIe devices, bridge devices coupled to network interface ports, a PCIe network switch coupled between bridge devices and PCIe devices, and a configuration device communicatively coupled to bridge devices and PCIe devices. Ports transmit outgoing and receive incoming network traffic. PCIe devices support a function of the computer data network. Each bridge device receives incoming network traffic portions and transmits outgoing network traffic portions through a respective network interface port. PCIe network switch routes PCIe packets between the plurality of bridge devices and the plurality of PCIe devices. Configuration device configures and initializes the PCIe devices for commands and operations that originate from the bridge devices. Configuration device and the bridge devices collaborate together to provide multiple communication paths between the network ports and the plurality of PCIe devices to provide any-to-any connectivity.