Storage Module Virtual Abort Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage module systems experience performance degradation when aborting pending host commands due to the need to propagate and filter commands across multiple processing modules, leading to inefficiencies and potential errors in aborting operations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a virtual abort mechanism where data continues to flow through the data path and is processed normally, but the host interface module prevents data from being sent to the host for read commands, and ignores context commands for write operations upon receiving an abort command, thereby avoiding the propagation of abort commands and maintaining system performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the abort command is broadcast across multiple processing modules and queues are filtered to abort host commands, then the abort operation is reliable and ensures commands are properly terminated, but system performance is significantly degraded and operation is halted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the abort operation into two distinct parts: (1) a control signal that identifies which commands should be aborted is injected into the data path, and (2) processing modules independently filter and respond to this signal. This segmentation allows the abort function to be performed locally by each module without requiring system-wide coordination, thus maintaining reliability while avoiding performance degradation from halting all operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of a virtual signal injected into the data path that carries abort identification information. This intermediary allows processing modules to identify and abort specific commands without requiring direct broadcasting of abort commands across all modules, enabling selective abortion while maintaining system throughput for non-aborted operations.
2Reliability
If hardware components are paused and data communication is halted during abort operations, then errors are prevented and abort reliability is ensured, but operation efficiency is reduced and time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by injecting the abort identification signal into the data path before the actual abort execution. Processing modules continuously monitor this signal and are already prepared to filter and respond to it, eliminating the need to pause hardware components. This preliminary setup allows for error-free abort operations without halting data communication or losing time.
3Measurement precision
If multiple processing modules analyze queues and filter commands to identify commands to abort, then the abort operation is accurate and targets the correct commands, but complexity increases and processing overhead is added
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables each processing module to independently identify and filter commands requiring abort based on the injected signal, without requiring centralized coordination or complex inter-module communication. Each module serves itself by autonomously monitoring the data path for abort signals and applying the appropriate filter, thereby maintaining high identification accuracy while reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage module and method for virtual abort are disclosed. In one embodiment, a virtual abort of a read command is provided. The read command triggers a read operation that comprises reading data from the storage module's memory, processing the data by at least one processing module as the data moves along a data path from the memory to the storage module's host interface module, and then providing the data to a host via the host interface module. When an abort command is received, the storage module allows the data that is read from the memory to be processed by the at least one processing module as the data moves along the data path to the host interface module but prevents the host interface module from providing the data to the host. In another embodiment, a virtual abort of a write command is provided.