Storage Controller Volatile Non-Volatile Memory Data Mirroring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage systems face challenges in maintaining data integrity during blackouts, as data stored in cache regions is lost, and duplicating non-volatile memory and batteries for backup increases costs and device size, while reserving cache regions in non-volatile memory deteriorates write response performance.
Innovation Solution
A storage system configuration that includes a volatile memory with a mirroring region and a non-volatile memory with a cache region, where data is written to both and then asynchronously mirrored, maintaining data integrity during blackouts without the need for additional backup memory or batteries, and offsetting write time increases through mirroring processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If data is stored in volatile cache memory to improve readout performance, then access speed is improved, but data is lost during blackouts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a mirror copy of cache data in non-volatile memory. When write data arrives, the storage control device writes to both the cache region and creates a mirror image in non-volatile memory. This copying mechanism ensures that if a blackout occurs, the mirrored data can be recovered, thus maintaining data integrity while preserving fast cache access during normal operation.
2Reliability
If non-volatile memory and batteries are duplicated for backup to maintain data integrity, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost and device size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the non-volatile memory serve dual purposes: it acts as both the primary storage medium and as backup memory for cache data protection. By writing mirror images of cache data to non-volatile memory, the system eliminates the need for separate backup batteries or additional backup memory devices, thus reducing device complexity and manufacturing costs while maintaining data integrity during blackouts.
3Reliability
If cache regions are reserved in non-volatile memory to prevent data loss, then reliability is improved, but write response performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs mirror writing to non-volatile memory asynchronously and in the background, without blocking the main write operation. The storage control device writes data to cache first for immediate response, then creates mirror images in non-volatile memory subsequently. This preliminary action approach ensures that write response performance is not deteriorated while still providing data protection through mirroring.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage system includes a first storage control device including a first memory being a volatile memory and a first processor, and a second storage control device including a second memory being a non-volatile memory and a second processor, wherein the second processor is configured to receive a first write request to write first data into a first storage device, store the first data into the second memory, and transmit the first data to the first storage control device, the first processor is configured to store the first data into the first memory, and transmit a first notification to the second storage control device, and the second processor is configured to receive the first notification, transmit a first completion notification in response to the first write request, and execute processing to write the first data, stored in the second memory, into the first storage device.