SSD Multi-Card Adapter for Mixed-Protocol Server Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional enterprise server implementations lack density and performance-centric storage capabilities, and there is limited support for solid state drives (SSDs), requiring major architectural changes and infrastructure updates to adapt SSD technology.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a solid state drive (SSD) multi-card adapter that conforms to a hard disk drive form factor, supporting multiple mixed-format and mixed-protocol devices, providing data management, protection, and thermal monitoring, and allowing seamless integration into existing enterprise servers without architectural changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional adapters are used to connect storage devices, then a single device can be connected, but multiple mixed-format and mixed-protocol devices cannot be managed simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is designed with multiple connectors including SATA, SAS, M.2, and U.2 interfaces, allowing it to universally connect to various storage device formats and protocols simultaneously. This multi-functional design enables a single adapter to replace multiple specialized adapters, achieving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter incorporates multiple independent connectors and interface sections, each capable of connecting to different device types. This segmentation allows each connector to be optimized for its specific protocol while the overall adapter manages all connections through a unified backplane and controller system
2Quantity of substance
If SSD multi-card adapter is introduced to increase storage capacity and performance, then compatibility with existing infrastructure is maintained, but integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The SSD multi-card adapter is designed to fit within standard server drive bays, nesting multiple SSD cards within a single adapter unit that itself fits into existing server infrastructure. This nested arrangement increases storage capacity without requiring changes to the server chassis or existing bay structures
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter serves as an intermediary device between existing server infrastructure and new SSD technology. It provides protocol translation and interface adaptation, allowing SSDs to be integrated into legacy systems without requiring architectural changes to the server itself, thereby managing integration complexity
3Reliability
If data management and protection features are added to the adapter, then data security is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Data management functions including encryption, compression, error correction, and protection are merged into the adapter's integrated controller. This consolidation allows these critical functions to be handled at the storage interface level without adding separate processing systems, managing complexity by combining multiple functions into a single processing unit
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the inventive concept include solid state drive (SSD) multi-card adapters that can include multiple solid state drive cards, which can be incorporated into existing enterprise servers without major architectural changes, thereby enabling the server industry ecosystem to easily integrate evolving solid state drive technologies into servers. The SSD multi-card adapters can include an interface section between various solid state drive cards and drive connector types. The interface section can perform protocol translation, packet switching and routing, data encryption, data compression, management information aggregation, virtualization, and other functions.