Storage Device Multi-Host Performance Management

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In multi-host storage systems, existing technologies face challenges in ensuring minimum performance for each host while preventing any single host from overwhelming the limited physical resources of a storage device, leading to potential performance bottlenecks and resource exhaustion.

Innovation Solution

A storage device with a performance manager that sets and adjusts performance levels for each host based on received performance information, prioritizing commands and managing resource allocation to maintain minimum performance across all hosts and prevent excessive resource usage by any one host.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single storage medium supports multiple hosts, then resource utilization is improved, but performance guarantee for each host deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-host supportVSAvoidperformance guarantee
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The storage device segments resource allocation by establishing separate queues for each host and assigning dedicated physical functions (PFs) to manage commands from specific hosts. This segmentation allows the system to support multiple hosts while maintaining controlled performance guarantees through isolated command processing paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts performance levels of physical functions based on real-time command processing status. When a host's minimum performance requirement is met, its PF level is reduced; when not met, the level is increased. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting resource allocation to actual needs while maintaining multi-host support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If performance level is increased for a host, then host performance is improved, but resource consumption by other hosts deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehost performanceVSAvoidoverall resource utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors command processing status for each host and uses this feedback to adjust PF levels. When a host achieves its minimum performance threshold, the system reduces its PF level, thereby freeing resources for other hosts. This feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by preventing indefinite resource consumption while ensuring performance guarantees.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the performance level parameter of physical functions based on host requirements and actual performance achievement. By adjusting PF levels from high to low (or vice versa) according to whether minimum performance is met, the system optimizes overall resource utilization while maintaining individual host performance guarantees.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If command processing priority is increased for a host, then host response time is improved, but system fairness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehost response timeVSAvoidsystem fairness
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts command processing priorities through PF level changes rather than using fixed high priorities for all hosts. When a host meets its performance target, its PF level is reduced, lowering its priority. This dynamic approach ensures fast response for hosts needing it while maintaining fairness through automatic priority adjustment based on actual performance requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3869318B1Storage devices configured to support multiple hosts and operation methods thereof
Publication Date: 2023.12.27 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3869318B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3869318B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3869318B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

An operation method of a storage device configured to implement physical functions respectively corresponding to hosts includes receiving performance information from each of the host devices, setting a performance level of each of the physical functions to a first level, processing a command from a first host through a corresponding first physical function, changing a performance level of the first physical function to a second level based on the performance information and a performance serviced to the first host, and processing a second command from a second host through at least one second physical function corresponding to the second host prior to processing a subsequent first command from the first host, through the first physical function, based on a performance level of the at least one second physical function being the first level and the performance level of the first physical function being the second level.