Persistent Host Memory Buffer for SSD Data Persistence
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current memory systems rely on volatile host memory buffers, which lose data upon power cycles, necessitating frequent synchronization and restoration, leading to performance bottlenecks and increased costs due to the need for multiple media types and controllers in hybrid devices.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a persistent host memory buffer (PHMB) that is permanently allocated to a storage device, such as an SSD, allowing for data persistence across power cycles and enabling device-managed write-back caching, reducing the need for volatile buffers and multiple media controllers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If volatile host memory buffers are used, then data can be quickly written and accessed, but data is lost upon power cycles requiring frequent synchronization and restoration
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by writing data to the persistent host memory buffer before power cycles occur. The PHMB retains this data without requiring synchronization or restoration operations, as the data persists across power cycles. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining both fast write speeds and data persistence through the non-volatile nature of the PHMB.
2Reliability
If multiple media types and controllers are used in hybrid devices, then data persistence is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The persistent host memory buffer serves multiple functions: it acts as a volatile memory buffer for fast writes, a non-volatile storage medium for data persistence, and eliminates the need for separate cache memory or backup storage controllers. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by achieving data persistence without requiring multiple specialized controllers, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If frequent synchronization and restoration operations are performed, then data integrity is maintained, but performance bottlenecks occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the synchronization and restoration operations from the data path by using a persistent buffer that inherently maintains data across power cycles. Since the PHMB retains data without requiring these operations, the system eliminates the performance bottleneck caused by frequent synchronization and restoration, while still maintaining data integrity through the persistent nature of the buffer.
4Ease of manufacture
If volatile memory buffers are used, then cost is reduced, but frequent data loss requires additional hardware for synchronization
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the key parameter of memory persistence from volatile to persistent by using PHMB technology. This parameter change allows the system to maintain data across power cycles without requiring additional synchronization hardware, thereby achieving both cost reduction and reduced device complexity simultaneously. The PHMB's inherent persistence eliminates the need for extra hardware components that would otherwise be required to maintain data integrity with volatile memory.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of a memory apparatus may include a persistent host memory buffer, and a memory controller communicatively coupled to the persistent host memory buffer to control communication between the persistent host memory buffer and a persistent storage media device. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.