SAS Expander Multiplexer Architecture for RAID Storage Scalability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RAID data storage systems face challenges in expanding storage capacity while maintaining fault tolerance and performance, particularly in large mainframe computer systems and data servers, where the need for scalable storage solutions is critical.
Innovation Solution
A data storage system architecture featuring a chassis with paired printed circuit boards, SAS expanders, and multiplexers that allow for the expansion of disk drives through a network of SAS and SATA interfaces, enabling the connection of multiple disk drives and enclosures to increase storage capacity while maintaining redundancy and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional RAID storage systems are used, then fault tolerance and performance are maintained, but storage capacity expansion is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is divided into multiple independent disk drives that can be individually managed and expanded. Each disk drive operates as an independent unit within the RAID array, allowing selective addition of drives to expand capacity without affecting the entire system. This segmentation enables flexible capacity expansion while maintaining fault tolerance through independent drive management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nested expansion capabilities where additional disk drives can be integrated within the existing storage system architecture. The system allows nesting of multiple storage enclosures and disk drives in a hierarchical structure, enabling capacity expansion by adding nested storage units that integrate with the existing RAID configuration and management infrastructure.
2Quantity of substance
If storage capacity is expanded by adding more disk drives, then data storage capability increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system employs universal interface controllers and management software that can handle multiple types of disk drives and storage configurations through a single unified architecture. The controllers are designed with multi-functional capabilities to manage different RAID levels, drive types, and expansion configurations, reducing the need for specialized hardware components and simplifying system management as capacity expands.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary controllers and management layers that act as mediators between the host system and the expanded storage array. These intermediary components simplify the connection and management of multiple disk drives by providing a standardized interface and centralized control mechanism, thereby reducing the complexity of managing large-scale storage expansions.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple disk drives are interconnected through SAS and SATA interfaces, then storage capacity and redundancy are improved, but interface management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the SAS and SATA interface management functions into a unified control architecture where a single management controller handles both interface types through standardized protocols. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate management paths for different interface types, reducing the complexity of managing diverse storage connections while maintaining the ability to interconnect multiple disk drives through both SAS and SATA interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A data storage system has a chassis and a pair of printed circuit boards disposed in the chassis. Each one of the pair of printed circuit boards has disposed thereon a processor, a translator controlled by the processor, a SAS expander having a bidirectional front end port and multiple bidirectional backend ports, and an expansion port, and a SAS controller coupled between the translator and the expander. The system also has an interposer printed circuit board disposed in the chassis, and multiple multiplexers disposed on the interposer printed circuit board. Each one of the multiplexers has a pair of bidirectional front end ports and a pair of bidirectional back end ports. A first one of the pair of bidirectional front end ports is connected to a corresponding backend port of the SAS expander disposed on a first one of the pair of storage processor printed circuit boards. A second one of the pair of bidirectional front end ports is connected to a corresponding backend port of the SAS expander disposed on a second one of the pair of storage processor printed circuit boards. The system also has multiple disk drives disposed in the chassis. Each one is coupled to at least one backend port of a corresponding one of the multiplexers.