Storage Controller Logical Volume Identification for Direct Host FBOF Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current storage systems face bottlenecks in data transfer bandwidth and performance due to the reliance on traditional SAS networks and storage controllers, which limit the scalability and speed of data transfer, especially when using FBOF connections, and require additional software agents that increase computational load and network competition.
Innovation Solution
A storage system architecture that enables direct data transfer between FBOF and host computers without relying on storage controllers, using logical volume identification and cache management to improve read IO performance and reduce latency, while maintaining data protection and program product functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data transfer path is changed to enable direct transfer between host computer and FBOF, then data transfer bandwidth is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional address space mapping requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a storage controller as an intermediary device that manages address space mapping between the host computer and FBOF. The storage controller receives I/O commands from the host computer, performs address translation using mapping tables, and routes commands to the appropriate FBOF devices. This intermediary approach enables direct data transfer while offloading the complexity of address mapping to a dedicated controller, thus resolving the contradiction between improved bandwidth and reduced system complexity.
2Speed
If storage controller is eliminated for direct transfer, then data transfer speed is improved, but data protection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data protection functions from the traditional storage controller architecture and implements them as separate, dedicated components. Specifically, it introduces independent data protection units that handle RAID operations, checksum calculations, and error correction separately from the main data transfer path. This extraction allows direct data transfer between host computer and FBOF at high speed while maintaining data protection capabilities through specialized components that process protection operations in parallel or asynchronously.
3Reliability
If traditional SAS network is used for drive connection, then connection reliability is improved, but data transfer bandwidth deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the advantages of both SAS and Ethernet networks by implementing a hybrid architecture. It uses SAS connections for the storage controller to FBOF drive connections to maintain reliable, low-latency access, while simultaneously using high-bandwidth Ethernet networks for direct host computer to FBOF data transfer paths. This merging of connection technologies allows the system to achieve both connection reliability through SAS and high data transfer bandwidth through Ethernet, resolving the contradiction between these two parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage system includes at least one drive chassis connected to at least one host computer via a first network, and a storage controller connected to the drive chassis, in which the storage controller instructs the drive chassis to create a logical volume, and the drive chassis creates a logical volume according to an instruction from the storage controller, provides a storage area of the storage system to the host computer, and receives an IO command from the host computer to the storage area of the storage system.