Storage Device Application Execution via Dynamic Module Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing storage devices in data centers face challenges in increasing processing speed and throughput without incurring high additional costs, as they typically operate as slaves to host devices and lack the capability to perform operations beyond storage control.

Innovation Solution

The method involves generating an application instance in a storage device using a storage instance, executing it, and utilizing a storage runtime with fibers to manage memory operations, including writing, reading, and erasing, while connecting multiple storage instances and communicating with host devices through serialized packets, thereby enabling the storage device to perform tasks requested by the host.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If additional application servers, database servers, and cache servers are installed to increase processing speed and throughput, then processing speed and throughput increase, but additional costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speed and throughputVSAvoidnumber of servers

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The storage device is transformed from a single-function slave device into a multi-functional computing device that can execute application instances, database operations, and cache functions directly within its controller, eliminating the need for separate servers for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple server functions (application server, database server, cache server) into a single storage device by loading different binary modules into the controller's memory, allowing one physical device to perform roles that traditionally required multiple separate servers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If storage devices operate as slaves to host devices, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but adaptability and versatility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidfunctional capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The storage device controller dynamically loads and executes different binary modules from storage media into its memory, allowing it to adapt its functionality on-demand while maintaining a relatively simple hardware architecture. The controller can switch between different operational modes (storage-only, application execution, database operations) by loading appropriate software modules

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The storage device performs self-service by autonomously executing application instances and managing its own operations through loaded binary modules, reducing dependency on external host devices while maintaining ease of operation through standardized interfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10810016B2Operating methods of computing devices comprising storage devices including nonvolatile memory devices, buffer memories and controllers

Publication Date: 2020.10.20 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A method of operating a computing device includes a storage device receiving a request to execute an application instance, and executing the application instance at the storage device in response to the received request by the storage device. The application instance includes a plurality of storage instances connected with one another, and at least one of the plurality of storage instances is connected to a host device.