Ruler Storage Modules for High Density Data Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data storage systems using spinning disk hard drives face challenges with high power consumption and heat production, especially when scaled to hundreds or thousands of drives, making them inefficient for high-capacity, high-speed, and low-power applications.
Innovation Solution
A dense All Flash Array (AFA) system utilizing a parallel array of thin and long SSDs in a 19" rack-mount form factor, referred to as "Ruler Storage Modules" (RSMs), which provide excellent airflow, heat dissipation, and storage density, allowing for up to 1 PetaByte of storage in a 1U height rack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If spinning disk hard drives are used to provide large storage capacity, then storage capacity is improved, but power consumption and heat production increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical spinning disk hard drive system with a solid state flash memory-based All Flash Array system. This substitution eliminates the mechanical rotation and associated power consumption, while providing higher storage capacity and faster access speeds. The flash memory cells store data in a non-volatile manner, eliminating the need for mechanical movement and significantly reducing power requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental storage medium from mechanical disks to solid state flash memory, altering the physical state and operational parameters of the storage system. This parameter change enables higher capacity, lower power consumption, and improved reliability while maintaining or enhancing performance characteristics.
2Quantity of substance
If spinning disk hard drives are used to provide large storage capacity, then storage capacity is improved, but heat production increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical spinning disk hard drive system with a solid state flash memory-based All Flash Array system. This substitution eliminates the mechanical rotation and associated friction and resistance that generate heat, while providing higher storage capacity and faster access speeds. The flash memory cells store data in a non-volatile manner, eliminating the need for mechanical movement and significantly reducing heat production.
3Quantity of substance
If 2.5 inch SSDs are used vertically mounted for large capacity solution, then storage capacity is improved, but minimum rack-mount chassis size increases to 2U or 3U
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical mounting of 2.5 inch SSDs to a horizontal parallel array configuration. This dimensional change allows the SSDs to be arranged side-by-side in a compact horizontal space, eliminating the need for vertical stacking and reducing the overall chassis height requirement from 2U or 3U to 1U rack mount size.
4Quantity of substance
If M.2 SSDs are used to increase storage capacity, then storage capacity is improved, but number of devices and connectors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage system into multiple parallel 2.5 inch SSDs arranged in a horizontal array, each connected through a shared backplane interface. This segmentation approach provides high storage capacity through parallel drives while using a standardized connector interface, reducing the complexity compared to using many M.2 SSDs which would require multiple individual connectors and interfaces.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The AFA system achieves high storage density, efficient airflow, and effective heat dissipation, reducing power consumption and operational costs while maintaining high performance, thus addressing the inefficiencies of traditional hard drive systems.
Implementation Method 1
A fan is provided which draws air in at a front of the enclosure and pushes the air past the memory cards to a rear of the enclosure
Data Source
AI summary
A data storage system with a parallel array of dense memory cards and high airflow is described. In one example, a rack-mount enclosure has a horizontal plane board with memory connectors and external interfaces. Memory cards each have a connector to connect to a respective memory connector of the horizontal plane board, each memory card extending parallel to each other memory card from the front of the enclosure and extending orthogonally from the first side of the horizontal plane board. A power supply proximate the rear of the enclosure and the first side of the horizontal plane board provides power to the memory cards through the memory card connectors and has a fan to pull air from the front of the enclosure between the memory cards and to push air out the rear of the enclosure.