Remote Storage Access via Local Bus Protocol Offloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for accessing remote storage devices over a network are complex and inefficient, requiring significant CPU involvement and translation processes, which can lead to system inefficiencies and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a driver program on a host computer to initiate remote direct memory access (RDMA) operations via a network interface controller (NIC) using protocols like NVM Express, allowing direct storage transactions between the host and remote storage devices, minimizing CPU involvement and enhancing system efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional network storage access methods are used, then storage devices can be accessed over the network, but CPU involvement increases and system efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the storage access control functions from the CPU and relocates them to the NIC. The NIC independently handles protocol processing, command interpretation, and storage transaction management, removing the burden from the CPU and reducing its energy consumption while maintaining storage access capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The NIC is empowered to autonomously process storage access commands without requiring CPU intervention. It self-manages the entire storage transaction lifecycle including receiving commands, processing them according to storage protocols, and returning results, enabling the system to operate with minimal CPU involvement.
2Ease of operation
If complex translation processes are used for remote storage access, then network storage can be accessed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The NIC is designed with multi-functionality to handle both traditional network communication and storage access protocols. It integrates storage protocol processing capabilities directly into the network interface, eliminating the need for separate translation processes and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining ease of storage access.
3Productivity
If CPU-intensive storage access methods are used, then storage transactions can be processed, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts storage processing functions from the CPU to the NIC, reducing the computational burden on the CPU. The NIC independently handles storage transaction processing, which reduces overall system power consumption while maintaining storage processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The NIC autonomously processes storage transactions without requiring continuous CPU intervention. It self-manages command processing, data transfer, and result generation, enabling efficient storage operations with minimal energy consumption from high-capacity processors.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for data storage includes configuring a driver program on a host computer to receive commands in accordance with a protocol defined for accessing local storage devices connected to a peripheral component interface bus of the host computer. When the driver program receives, from an application program running on the host computer a storage access command in accordance with the protocol, specifying a storage transaction, a remote direct memory access (RDMA) operation is performed by a network interface controller (NIC) connected to the host computer so as to execute the storage transaction via a network on a remote storage device.