Storage Controller Host Realignment for Misaligned Write Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Host computer systems often perform write operations to non-volatile storage devices with misaligned logical addresses, leading to sub-optimal utilization of storage device resources, which affects both host and storage device performance.
Innovation Solution
A system with a misalignment detector in the storage device controller identifies misaligned write commands and notifies the host device to realign them by calculating the required shift to match internal resource assignments, ensuring optimal resource utilization without modifying existing storage device protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If host computer systems perform write operations with logical addressing without awareness of internal storage device resource assignments, then the host system operates with simple addressing logic, but storage device resource utilization becomes sub-optimal and performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mediator mechanism that translates between host logical addressing and storage device physical resource assignments. The storage device controller acts as an intermediary, receiving write commands with logical addresses from the host, translating them to physical addresses, and routing them to appropriate storage resources. This intermediary layer allows the host to maintain simple addressing logic while the storage device optimizes resource utilization through intelligent address translation and resource mapping.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the storage device monitors write operation patterns and resource utilization metrics, then adjusts its internal resource assignment and address translation strategies accordingly. The controller analyzes incoming write commands, identifies misaligned operations that sub-optimize resource usage, and dynamically reconfigures resource mappings to improve utilization. This feedback loop enables continuous optimization of storage device performance based on actual operating conditions.
2Productivity
If storage devices assign specific resources to logical address ranges to optimize internal resource utilization, then storage device performance improves, but host computer systems cannot be aware of these assignments leading to misaligned write operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage device's internal resources into distinct units (such as memory dies, write channels, or processing elements) and assigns specific logical address ranges to each segment. This segmentation allows the storage device to optimize resource utilization by directing write operations to appropriate segments based on their address ranges. The host remains unaware of these internal segmentations, using only simple logical addresses, while the storage device's controller intelligently routes operations to maximize performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy or mapping layer between the host's logical address space and the storage device's physical resource space. Instead of requiring the host to know actual physical resource assignments, the system maintains a virtual mapping table that translates logical addresses to physical resources. This copying approach allows the host to operate with simplified logical addresses while the storage device maintains detailed knowledge of resource assignments for optimization purposes.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for optimizing storage device bus and resource utilization using host realignment includes detecting a first write command for writing data from a host device to a storage device. The method further includes determining whether the first write command includes addressing that is misaligned with regard to storage device resource assignments. The method further includes, in response to determining that the first write command includes addressing that is misaligned with respect to storage device resource assignments: determining an amount to shift the misaligned addressing to align the addressing with the storage device resource assignments; and notifying the host device of the misaligned addressing. The method further includes performing a host realignment according to the amount determined to shift the misaligned addressing.