Serial Attached NVRAM Module for Data Persistence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current computing systems face challenges in reliably protecting and restoring vital data due to the differences between volatile and non-volatile memory, particularly in scenarios like power loss, OS crashes, and hardware faults, where data integrity and availability are compromised.
Innovation Solution
A computing system with a Non-Volatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM) module that includes a non-volatile device, a volatile memory device, an NV controller unit, and a serial host interface, which detects disruptive events, copies data from volatile to non-volatile memory, and restores it, providing DRAM-level endurance and speed while ensuring persistence using NAND Flash over a serial host interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If volatile memory is used for data storage, then write speed and circuitry simplicity are improved, but data reliability and persistence deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring for disruptive events (power loss, OS crashes, hardware faults) and automatically initiating data copying from volatile to non-volatile memory upon detection, preventing data loss before it occurs
Solution Approach 2:
A controller unit acts as an intermediary between volatile and non-volatile memory, managing the automatic data copying process and transparently handling failover operations without requiring host system intervention
2Reliability
If non-volatile memory is used for data storage, then data reliability and persistence are improved, but write speed and circuitry complexity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses partial action by copying only the necessary data portions to non-volatile memory when disruptive events are detected, rather than continuously maintaining full redundancy, thus achieving reliability without excessive speed penalty
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates copies of data from volatile to non-volatile memory upon detection of disruptive events, ensuring data persistence while maintaining the primary fast volatile memory for active operations
3Reliability
If automatic data backup and restore functionality is added, then data availability and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting disruptive events and initiating data backup and restore operations without requiring external intervention, maintaining high availability while managing complexity internally
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms by monitoring system state (power status, error conditions) and automatically adjusting operations to maintain data availability, with the controller unit managing complexity through intelligent control logic
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for enabling serial attached Non-Volatile (NV) memory are provided. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a computing system includes: in an NV Random Access Memory module (NVRAM) having a non-volatile device, a volatile memory device with data, a NV Controller unit (NVC), and a serial host interface, the method includes: receiving a request for data on the serial host interface and providing the requested data, from the volatile memory device, on the serial host interface. The method also includes: detecting a disruptive volatile memory event; copying the data of the volatile memory device to the NV device through the serial host interface based on the disruptive volatile memory event; and restoring the data of the volatile memory device from the NV device through the serial host interface. In this way, Dynamic Random-Access Memory (DRAM) level endurance and speed/latency can be provided while making it NV.