Storage Controller Dynamic Protocol Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional SSDs are limited in their ability to support multiple protocol versions and command sets for different clients, forcing all users to utilize the same protocol version and command set, which restricts flexibility and requires coordinated driver upgrades, limiting their functionality in virtualized host platforms.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a storage system with a controller that can dynamically switch between different access protocols at runtime based on user-configurable parameters, using multiple processors to generate common commands for NAND-based and 3D crosspoint media, allowing each physical or virtual function to operate at different NVMe protocol versions or with different command sets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional SSD uses a single fixed protocol version and command set, then device simplicity and manufacturing ease are maintained, but adaptability to different clients and protocol flexibility are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The SSD controller implements dynamic protocol selection capability, allowing it to switch between different NVMe protocol versions (1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5) and command sets at runtime based on client requirements. This dynamic adaptability enables the same physical device to serve multiple protocol versions without requiring separate dedicated controllers for each version, thereby improving protocol version adaptability while controlling complexity through software-based configuration rather than hardware multiplication
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is designed with universal functionality to support multiple protocol versions and command sets simultaneously. By implementing a unified controller architecture that can operate with different NVMe specifications, the system eliminates the need for multiple specialized controllers, achieving multi-protocol support without proportionally increasing device complexity. The controller can be configured via user-configurable parameters to match the specific protocol version required by each client
2Productivity
If all clients must use the same protocol version, then device complexity is minimized, but productivity in virtualized environments is reduced due to coordinated driver upgrades being required
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements local quality by allowing different virtual functions or namespaces to operate with different protocol versions independently. Each client or virtual machine can be assigned a specific NVMe protocol version that matches its driver capabilities, enabling protocol version differentiation at the local client level rather than requiring a unified protocol version across all clients. This local customization eliminates the need for coordinated driver upgrades across the entire system
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary protocol configuration during controller initialization or client connection establishment. By pre-configuring the appropriate protocol version and command set for each client before data transfer begins, the system avoids runtime protocol switching overhead and ensures optimal performance from the start. This preliminary action allows the controller to maintain multiple protocol capabilities ready for immediate use based on client requirements
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of an electronic apparatus may include one or more substrates, and logic coupled to the one or more substrates, the logic to control access to a persistent storage media based on one of a first access protocol and a second access protocol that is different from the first access protocol, and select between the first access protocol and the second access protocol at runtime based on a user configurable parameter. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.