Shared Storage Module Transport for Storage System Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional data storage systems incur latency due to multiple software and hardware layers involved in data transfer, and communication between processors is often slow, affecting overall system performance.
Innovation Solution
A storage system architecture that uses a shared storage module as a transport layer between control modules, enabling high-speed communication fabric for data access and inter-processor links for control signals, allowing data to be accessed and written even if one path is down by utilizing the shared storage module over the high-speed communication fabric.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional data transfer approach with multiple software and hardware layers is used, then system compatibility and reliability are maintained, but latency increases and performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data transfer function from the complex stack of software and hardware layers, implementing it directly in hardware at the storage module level. This removes the intermediary processing steps that caused latency while maintaining system compatibility through the shared storage module interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared storage module acts as an intermediary between control modules, providing a standardized interface that eliminates the need for complex inter-processor communication. This mediator approach maintains compatibility while reducing latency by simplifying the data transfer path.
2Productivity
If multiple processors are provided for accessing storage system, then performance and redundancy are improved, but communication complexity and hardware requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shared storage module provides universal access for multiple processors through a common interface, eliminating the need for separate communication infrastructure for each processor pair. This multi-functional approach maintains high performance while reducing communication complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the data access function into the shared storage module itself, combining what would otherwise be separate communication and storage functions. This integration reduces the overall system complexity while enabling multiple processors to access storage efficiently.
3Ease of operation
If inter-processor links are used for communication, then processor coordination is enabled, but data transfer speed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data transfer function from the inter-processor link, implementing it directly at the storage module level. This separates coordination (handled by control modules) from data transfer (handled by storage module), enabling high-speed transfers independent of processor link capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared storage module serves as an intermediary that enables high-speed data transfer between processors without requiring fast inter-processor links. It handles the data transfer function separately from processor coordination, maintaining both ease of operation and high speed.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a first control module (CM) of a storage system receives a first request from a client device to read first data stored in a second storage location of a storage module, where the second storage location is associated with a second CM. The first CM includes a first processor and the second CM includes a second processor. The first CM transmits a first control signal the second CM via the inter-processor link to request the second CM to copy the first data from the second storage location to a first memory location associated with the first CM. The first CM initiates a first data transaction to transmit the first data from the first memory location to the client device through a communication fabric without having to go through the second CM.