Storage Device Protocol Upgrade from SCSI to NVMe

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Solution Overview

Problem

In existing storage systems, switching from the SCSI protocol to NVMe protocol requires time-consuming data copying and can result in waste of assets if the original storage device is no longer used.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for upgrading storage devices to support NVMe protocol, releasing SCSI volume mapping relationships, establishing NVMe connections, and remapping block data spaces to enable seamless interaction between servers and storage devices using NVMe protocol, thereby migrating SCSI storage to NVMe storage efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the server switches from SCSI protocol to NVMe protocol by copying data to a new storage device, then the server can use the new NVMe protocol, but it requires time-consuming data copying and may cause waste of assets if the original storage device is no longer used

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol compatibilityVSAvoiddata copying time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The storage device changes its protocol parameter from SCSI to NVMe through firmware upgrading. The controller is configured to support multiple protocols and dynamically switches between them based on the connected server's requirements, allowing the same physical storage device to serve different protocol requirements without data copying

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The storage device is designed with multi-protocol support capability, allowing it to function with both SCSI and NVMe protocols. The controller can adapt to different server types (traditional SCSI servers or modern NVMe servers) by switching protocols, making the storage device universal and eliminating the need for separate storage devices for different protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the server switches from SCSI protocol to NVMe protocol by copying data to a new storage device, then the server can use the new NVMe protocol, but it may cause waste of assets if the original storage device is no longer used

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol compatibilityVSAvoidasset waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of discarding the original storage device when switching to NVMe, the system recovers and reuses it by upgrading its firmware and controller capabilities. The same physical device is recovered and adapted to serve NVMe protocol requirements, preventing asset waste

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Adaptability or versatility

If the storage device is upgraded to support NVMe protocol, then the storage device can interact with the server using NVMe protocol, but it requires releasing and remapping volume mapping relationships

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol supportVSAvoidmapping relationship management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage device performs self-upgrading by automatically upgrading its controller firmware when detecting NVMe protocol requirements. The device autonomously manages its own protocol transition and mapping relationship updates without requiring external intervention, reducing the complexity burden on the system administrator

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12255961B2Data interaction method and apparatus under different storage protocols, and device and medium

Publication Date: 2025.03.18 INSPUR (BEIJING) ELECTRONICS INFORMATION IND CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed in the present disclosure are a data interaction method and apparatus under different storage protocols, and a device and a medium. The method includes: acquiring a storage protocol switching instruction, and upgrading a storage device on the basis of the storage protocol switching instruction, so as to obtain the upgraded storage device, which may perform data interaction with a server on the basis of an NVME protocol; releasing a volume mapping relationship, which is constructed between the server and a preset block data space of the upgraded storage device on the basis of an SCSI protocol, and establishing a connection relationship between the server and the upgraded storage device on the basis of the NVME protocol; and remapping the preset block data space to the server in the form of a namespace, such that the server performs data interaction with upgraded storage device based on the NVME protocol.