Storage Controller Buffer Space Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Storage controllers face inefficiencies in using buffer space due to the need for large buffer sizes to handle multiple read/write requests, especially when dealing with technologies like NCQ that reorder data requests, leading to increased latency and resource requirements.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a single buffer that pre-fetches and stores only a subset of location descriptors before corresponding data elements are available, reducing buffer size requirements and optimizing data transfer by ensuring timely availability of location descriptors, thus allowing for smaller shared buffer sizes and reduced latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a storage controller uses a large buffer space to handle multiple read/write requests simultaneously, then the throughput and ability to support multiple requests improve, but the device complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the buffer space into multiple regions, with each region dedicated to handling a specific command or data transfer operation. This segmentation allows the controller to manage multiple requests efficiently using smaller, organized buffer segments rather than requiring one large monolithic buffer, thereby improving throughput while controlling device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The storage controller performs preliminary actions by pre-fetching and storing location descriptors in the buffer before the actual data transfer begins. This preliminary preparation enables the controller to quickly process multiple requests without requiring large buffers to hold all data simultaneously, thus improving productivity while maintaining manageable buffer sizes
2Reliability
If the storage controller stores all location descriptors in the buffer before data transfer, then the data transfer accuracy and reliability improve, but the buffer size requirements and loss of time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary action by fetching and storing only the necessary location descriptors in advance, rather than waiting for all data to be ready. This ensures data transfer accuracy is maintained while reducing the time buffer space is occupied and minimizing latency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by storing only a subset of location descriptors in the buffer at any given time, rather than all descriptors. This partial approach maintains sufficient reliability for correct data transfer while significantly reducing buffer size requirements and time delays
3Reliability
If the storage controller uses separate buffers for each secondary storage unit, then the reliability and data organization improve, but the aggregate on-chip memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the buffer resources into a shared buffer that can be dynamically allocated to handle requests from multiple secondary storage units. This combining approach maintains reliable data organization through proper buffer management while reducing the total aggregate on-chip memory required compared to having separate dedicated buffers for each storage unit
Solution Approach 2:
The shared buffer is designed with multi-functionality to handle requests from any secondary storage unit. By making the buffer universal rather than dedicated, the system achieves the same reliability and data organization capabilities with reduced total memory requirements, as the same buffer space serves multiple purposes
Data Source
AI summary
A storage controller which uses the same buffer to store data elements retrieved from different secondary storage units. In an embodiment, the controller retrieves location descriptors ahead of when data is available for storing in a target memory. Each location descriptor indicates the memory locations at which data received from a secondary storage is to be stored. Only a subset of the location descriptors may be retrieved and stored ahead when processing each request. Due to such retrieval and storing of limited number of location descriptors, the size of a buffer used by the storage controller may be reduced. Due to retrieval of the location descriptors ahead, unneeded buffering of the data elements within the storage controller is avoided, reducing the latency in writing the data into the main memory, thus improving performance.