Storage Expansion Apparatus with QPI and PCIe Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited memory capacity in servers restricts the utilization of computing resources, as advancements in processor performance are hindered by insufficient memory expansion, leading to an imbalance between CPU performance and memory capacity, particularly due to manufacturing limitations in read/write speeds.
Innovation Solution
A storage expansion apparatus with QPI and PCIe interface modules, a home agent module, and a memory controller engine, enabling the apparatus to function as both a memory expansion device and a storage IO device, allowing for flexible switching between memory and storage expansion configurations, thereby enhancing server performance by communicating with the CPU through multiple interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If memory capacity is expanded using traditional single-interface devices, then memory capacity increases, but device versatility and adaptability to different interfaces are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The storage expansion apparatus is designed with multiple interface modules (QPI interface module and PCIe interface module) that can operate independently or together, allowing the same device to expand memory capacity through different interfaces depending on the server configuration requirements. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by providing both memory capacity expansion and interface adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single interface type is used for memory expansion, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different server configurations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is segmented into independent interface modules (QPI interface module and PCIe interface module) that can be selectively activated based on server configuration needs. Each module handles specific interface protocols independently, allowing the system to achieve configuration flexibility while managing complexity through modular design where only relevant modules are active at any given time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If storage expansion apparatus is configured solely as memory expansion device, then memory capacity is improved, but functionality as storage IO device is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus implements dynamic functional switching capability where the interface selecting module can dynamically route data flow between QPI and PCIe interfaces based on operational needs. This allows the device to adapt its function in real-time - operating as memory expansion device when high data processing rates are needed, or as storage IO device when capacity expansion is required, thereby achieving both functional versatility and productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage expansion apparatus and a server, where the storage expansion apparatus includes a quick path interconnect (QPI) interface module, which communicates with a central processing unit (CPU) through a QPI bus; a peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) interface module, which communicates with the CPU through a PCIe bus; an interface selecting module, connected to the QPI interface module and the PCIe interface module separately; a home agent (HA) module, connected to the interface selecting module; and a memory controller engine (MCEng) module, connected to the HA module and the interface selecting module separately. The storage expansion apparatus may serve as a CPU memory capacity expansion device, and may also serve as storage expansion hardware of storage input and output (TO).