Storage Device Trace Log Ordering via Hardware Random Numbers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage devices using NAND flash memory face challenges in easily determining the order of trace logs due to overlapping power cycles and random numbers, making it difficult to chronologically arrange and manage trace logs effectively.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a hardware random number generator and a controller that appends unique random numbers to trace logs based on power cycles, allowing for easy identification and ordering of trace logs by generating distinct random numbers each time the device is powered up, and transferring these logs between volatile and nonvolatile memory regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If random numbers are used to identify trace logs, then trace log identification is enabled, but determining the chronological order of trace logs becomes difficult due to overlapping power cycles and random numbers
Solution Approach 1:
The trace log identification system is segmented into two independent components: a random number for device identification and a power cycle count for chronological ordering. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing each component to fulfill its specific function without interfering with the other, enabling both easy identification and accurate chronological ordering of trace logs
Solution Approach 2:
The power cycle count acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the random number identification system and the chronological ordering requirement. By introducing this separate ordering mechanism, the system can maintain random numbers for identification while using power cycle counts to establish chronological sequences, thereby resolving the ordering difficulty
2Quantity of substance
If multiple trace logs are stored without unique identifiers, then storage capacity is maximized, but trace log management and failure analysis become inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The trace log system provides self-service identification and ordering capabilities by automatically generating random numbers and power cycle counts for each log entry. This eliminates the need for external manual identification systems, allowing efficient management and failure analysis of multiple trace logs while maintaining maximum storage capacity
3Device complexity
If a simple trace log system is used, then device complexity is minimized, but trace log ordering and management become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically generating and storing both random numbers and power cycle counts at the time of trace log creation. This preliminary preparation of identification and ordering data simplifies subsequent trace log management operations without adding significant complexity to the overall device architecture
Data Source
AI summary
A storage device includes a hardware random number generator configured to generate a random number; a first memory; and a controller configured to control the hardware random number generator and the first memory. The controller is configured to: obtain the random number generated by the hardware random number generator after the storage device is powered up; obtain a first trace log of the storage device; and store, into the first memory, a log resulting from appending the obtained random number to the first trace log, as a second trace log.