Storage Device Control Unit Self-Service Data Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing storage systems face increased data communication frequency between storage devices when a server transmits an I/O command, requiring additional functionality to manage data storage locations, which is inefficient and resource-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A storage system and method where each storage device includes a control unit that specifies the storage device containing the target data and transmits it along with header information, setting the destination identifier as the source identifier and source identifier as the destination identifier in the response, to reduce data communication frequency without adding new server functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the server stores storage locations of all data and performs operations to specify the storage device, then the server can manage data storage locations, but the server needs to add new functions and the complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device performs self-service by autonomously specifying and transmitting the storage device containing target data without requiring the server to manage storage locations. The storage device's control unit automatically identifies and provides the necessary information, eliminating the need for additional server functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage device acts as an intermediary between the server and the actual data storage. Instead of the server directly managing storage locations, the storage device provides this information through the header information transmission mechanism, serving as a mediator that handles the complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the server transmits I/O command to one storage and data is stored in another storage, then data can be accessed from remote storage, but the frequency of data communication between storages increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device performs preliminary action by proactively specifying and transmitting the location information before the server needs to access the data. By preparing and sending the header information with destination and source identifier swaps in advance, the system reduces unnecessary data communication frequency.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage device provides feedback to the server about where the target data is actually stored by transmitting header information with swapped identifiers. This feedback mechanism allows the server to understand the actual data location without increasing communication frequency between storage devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage system according to the present invention includes: a plurality of storage devices, wherein each of a plurality of the storage devices including: a control unit; and a storage unit that stores data, wherein the control unit of the storage device that receives a request specifies the storage device that includes the storage unit in that target data targeted by the request is stored among a plurality of the storage devices, and the control unit of the storage device that is specified transmits, as a response to the request, the target data and header information in that a destination identifier indicating a destination of the request is set to a source identifier of the response, and a source identifier indicating a source of the request is set to a destination identifier of the response.