SMB PMEM Dialect for Remote Non-Volatile Memory Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current solutions do not allow direct access to non-volatile memory over a network using protocols like SMB or NFS, limiting remote access and efficient data transfer between servers, especially for OS deployment and storage operations.

Innovation Solution

A multiple processor system utilizing an inter-processor messaging protocol to enable remote direct memory access to non-volatile memory devices, reducing dependency on local file systems and increasing throughput by using RDMA queues and SMB PMEM dialect for direct stack transactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If non-volatile memory is accessed through a local processor using a file system, then the memory can be accessed reliably, but the access speed is limited and remote access is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory access speedVSAvoidremote access capability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an inter-processor messaging protocol as an intermediary mechanism that enables remote processors to access non-volatile memory without requiring traditional file system operations. The protocol acts as a mediator between the remote processor and the memory device, allowing direct memory access while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the file system dependency from the memory access path by implementing direct memory access through RDMA queues. This removes the intermediate file system layer that limited access speed and remote capability, allowing processors to access memory directly at hardware level speeds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If traditional RDMA is used for remote memory access, then network operations can be CPU-independent, but it requires a PMEM aware file system that increases complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCPU independence for network operationsVSAvoidfile system requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the PMEM aware file system requirement from the system architecture by implementing direct access to non-volatile memory through RDMA queues. This eliminates the need for complex file system software layers while maintaining CPU-independent network and storage operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes RDMA queues universally compatible with non-volatile memory devices by implementing a standardized interface that works with different memory types and configurations. This universal approach allows CPU-independent operations without requiring specialized file systems for each memory type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Speed

If direct access to non-volatile memory is implemented without a local processor, then access speed increases, but reliability during OS crashes or pre-OS modes becomes problematic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirect memory access speedVSAvoidaccess reliability during OS failures

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements beforehand cushioning by establishing RDMA queue connections and memory mappings before OS crashes or failures can occur. The system prepares the direct access pathway in advance during normal operation, so that even if the OS crashes or enters pre-OS mode, the hardware-level RDMA connection remains intact and reliable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The RDMA protocol acts as a reliable intermediary that maintains connection stability during OS failures. The hardware-level RDMA infrastructure continues to function independently of software state, providing consistent access to non-volatile memory even when the operating system is unavailable or crashed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If file system operations are used for network and storage I/O, then data can be managed reliably, but transaction overhead increases and throughput decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata management reliabilityVSAvoidI/O throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts file system operations from the I/O path by implementing direct memory access through RDMA queues. This removes the software processing overhead of file system operations while maintaining data integrity through hardware-level transaction support in the RDMA protocol.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical file system processing layer with a more efficient hardware-level RDMA mechanism. The RDMA queues provide direct memory access at the hardware level, substituting the software-based file system operations with a faster, hardware-optimized pathway that maintains reliability through built-in error checking and transaction support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10789200B2Server message block remote direct memory access persistent memory dialect

Publication Date: 2020.09.29 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A multiple processor system comprising a first processor configured to utilize an inter-processor messaging protocol and a second processor configured to utilize the inter-processor messaging protocol is disclosed. The system includes a non-volatile memory device coupled to the first processor, wherein the second processor is configured to access the non-volatile memory device by utilizing the inter-processor messaging protocol.