Network Storage Processing Path Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional network-attached storage devices are inefficient as data messages flow through the CPU, leading to bottlenecks in processing power and communication bandwidth, especially when scaling up storage capacity.
Innovation Solution
Implementing different processing paths for control messages and data messages, where control messages are routed through the processing device for administrative and management functions, while data messages are communicated directly between the storage device and the storage client without going through the processing device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If data messages flow through the CPU for processing, then centralized control and management are simplified, but processing power bottlenecks and communication bandwidth limitations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments message processing into two distinct paths: control messages are routed through the CPU for centralized management, while data messages are directed to the storage device through a dedicated data path that bypasses the CPU. This segmentation eliminates the bottleneck where all messages previously had to flow through the CPU, thereby improving processing throughput while maintaining simplified control structure.
2Quantity of substance
If storage capacity is scaled up, then more data can be stored, but CPU burden and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts data message processing from the CPU by creating a separate data path that connects the storage device directly to the network interface. This extraction allows storage capacity to be scaled up without proportionally increasing CPU burden and power consumption, as the CPU is no longer involved in processing data messages.
3Reliability
If all messages are processed by the CPU, then security and access control are centralized, but communication bandwidth requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments communication bandwidth usage by creating separate paths for control messages and data messages. Control messages requiring security and access control are routed through the CPU, maintaining centralized reliability. Data messages are transmitted through a dedicated data path that bypasses the CPU, reducing the communication bandwidth requirements for the control path.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage product having: a network interface operable on a computer network; a bus connector adapted to be connected to a computer bus; a storage device having a storage capacity accessible through network storage services provided over the network interface; and a processing device configured to at least generate storage access messages from incoming packets received by the network interface from the computer network. The storage product is operable in a standalone mode when no local host system is connected to the bus connector to control the storage product and operable in a slave mode when a local host system is connected to the bus connector to process a portion of the storage access messages.