SSD Fast-Boot List Pre-Reads OS Files to Reduce Boot Time

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional booting processes from solid state drives (SSDs) are slow due to the time-consuming reading of operating system files, even when using SSDs, as they follow legacy hard disk access methods, leading to prolonged boot times.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a fast-boot list that pre-reads logical block addresses (LBAs) of operating system files and stores them in cache memory, allowing for immediate data retrieval during subsequent boots, distinguishing between boot and normal read operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If conventional booting process reads OS files from SSD using legacy hard disk access methods, then the boot drive can maintain simplicity and compatibility, but the boot time is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboot speedVSAvoidboot time

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-loads frequently accessed OS files and boot data into the SSD's internal memory during system initialization or idle periods. This preliminary action ensures that when booting is required, the data is already available in high-speed memory, eliminating the need to read from slower storage during the critical boot sequence, thus significantly reducing boot time while maintaining drive simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the boot drive waits for host to send read commands before reading data, then the drive operation remains simple and follows legacy protocols, but the access time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrive operation simplicityVSAvoiddata access time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The SSD implements an autonomous boot mode where the drive proactively identifies and loads boot-required data into its internal memory without waiting for host commands. The drive's controller automatically detects boot conditions and initiates data transfer from storage to memory autonomously, reducing access time while maintaining simple host-dive interaction through standard interfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If OS files are stored in fixed LBA area on the drive, then the file system structure remains simple and compatible, but the reading time from drive to host increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefile system structureVSAvoiddata transfer speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the SSD's internal memory into dedicated boot cache areas and user data areas. Frequently accessed OS files and boot data are segregated into the boot cache segment, allowing rapid retrieval during boot operations. This segmentation enables the system to maintain simple LBA addressing for user data while providing optimized high-speed access paths for boot-critical data through the dedicated cache segment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9170823B2Fast-boot list to speed booting an operating system

Publication Date: 2015.10.27 AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL SALES PTE LTD

AI summary

A method for booting to an operating system stored on a solid state drive. The method comprises the steps of (A) determining if a boot list has one or more entries, (B) pre-reading one or more logical block addresses of each of the entries from the boot list, (C) receiving a command from a host, (D) reading the command from a memory internal to the solid state drive if the command is in a cache area of the pre-read logical block addresses and (E) reading the command from a main portion of the solid state drive if the command is not in the cache.