Storage Chassis Backplane Layout to Eliminate Switch Cabling

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for connecting storage nodes in switched networks through physical connections, such as Ethernet cables and optical fibers, increase cabling costs and time, complicating deployment and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A storage chassis integrating a backplane, storage modules, and switching modules, where connections are made via PCB traces, eliminating the need for separate network switches and reducing physical cabling, with redundancy and hot-plug capabilities for modules to ensure uninterrupted operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If storage nodes are connected through physical connections (Ethernet cables, optical fibers), then network communication between storage nodes can be realized, but cabling costs and time costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork communication capabilityVSAvoiddeployment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the storage node functions and network switching functions into a single integrated storage chassis. The backplane integrates multiple storage modules and switching modules, eliminating the need for separate network switches and external cabling. This consolidation reduces deployment time while maintaining network communication capabilities through internal PCB trace connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The storage chassis is designed as a multi-functional system that simultaneously performs storage operations and network switching. The switching modules can handle both storage network traffic and management network traffic, allowing the system to replace multiple dedicated devices with a single universal platform, thereby reducing cabling requirements and deployment complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If storage nodes are connected through physical connections (Ethernet cables, optical fibers), then network communication between storage nodes can be realized, but cabling costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork communication capabilityVSAvoidcabling materials

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the storage node functions and network switching functions into a single integrated storage chassis. The backplane integrates multiple storage modules and switching modules, eliminating the need for separate network switches and external cabling. This consolidation reduces deployment time while maintaining network communication capabilities through internal PCB trace connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the network switching function from external network switches and integrates it directly into the storage chassis. By taking out the switching capability and embedding it within the storage system, the design eliminates the need for external cabling infrastructure, thereby reducing cabling material requirements while preserving full network communication functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If separate network switches are used for storage network and management network, then network management can be achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork management capabilityVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage chassis is designed as a multi-functional system that simultaneously performs storage operations and network switching. The switching modules can handle both storage network traffic and management network traffic, allowing the system to replace multiple dedicated devices with a single universal platform, thereby reducing cabling requirements and deployment complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the storage node functions and network switching functions into a single integrated storage chassis. The backplane integrates multiple storage modules and switching modules, eliminating the need for separate network switches and external cabling. This consolidation reduces deployment time while maintaining network communication capabilities through internal PCB trace connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20260086967A1Storage chassis and data processing method thereof, and storage system

Publication Date: 2026.03.26 XINHUASAN INFORMATION TECH CO LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a storage chassis and a data processing method thereof, and a storage system. The storage chassis provided in an example of the present disclosure integrates a backplane, a plurality of storage modules, and a plurality of switching modules, where a storage module local management network interface of each storage module is connected to each switching module through PCB traces on the backplane, and a storage module local storage network interface of each storage module is connected to each switching module through PCB traces on the backplane.