Storage Controller Physical Function Mapping for Scalable VM Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage controllers face inefficiencies in resource allocation and overhead due to parent-child relationships among physical functions, limiting the number of virtual machines that can be supported and exposing the system to resource diversion by malicious users.
Innovation Solution
A storage controller that allocates resources directly to equivalent physical functions without a parent-child relationship, using a buffer memory and processor to manage resource allocation and ensure consistent QoS, and employs a secure core to prevent unauthorized resource diversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a parent-child relationship structure is used among physical functions in the storage controller, then resource allocation authority can be centralized, but the number of supported virtual machines is limited and overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage controller is divided into multiple independent physical functions (PF0, PF1, PF2, etc.), each capable of independently allocating resources to virtual machines. This segmentation eliminates the need for a hierarchical parent-child structure, allowing any physical function to serve any virtual machine directly, thereby increasing the number of supported VMs and reducing management overhead.
2Reliability
If resource allocation is managed through hierarchical physical functions, then control authority is centralized, but resource diversion by malicious users becomes possible
Solution Approach 1:
Each physical function is equipped with independent resource allocation authority and can autonomously manage its own resources without requiring permission from a central parent function. This self-service capability ensures that even if one physical function is compromised, it cannot divert resources from other physical functions, thereby preventing resource diversion while simplifying the overall management structure.
3Reliability
If buffer memory is allocated proportionally to target QoS for each physical function, then consistent performance can be ensured, but total resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer memory allocation is made dynamic rather than static. Each physical function receives buffer memory proportional to its target QoS requirements, but the allocation can be adjusted in real-time based on actual workload and performance needs. This dynamic allocation ensures consistent QoS performance while optimizing total memory consumption by adapting to changing system conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage controller for controlling a nonvolatile memory device is disclosed. The storage controller includes a buffer memory and a processor. The processor is configured to provide a plurality of physical functions having equivalent authorities to a host, and to allocate, in response to a resource allocation request received from the host via an arbitrary physical function among the plurality of physical functions, a namespace provided by the nonvolatile memory device and a buffer region included in the buffer memory to one or more target physical functions among the plurality of physical functions.