Storage Services Device Disaggregates Computing and Storage

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing server systems face disruptions when operations are halted, leading to unavailability of services, which hampers user access to storage services even when computing services are offline.

Innovation Solution

A storage services device is introduced within the server, comprising a first processor for computing services and a second processor for storage services, along with a storage controller that isolates and maintains storage services independently from computing services, allowing continued access to storage even when computing services are unavailable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If computing services are halted for maintenance or power loss, then energy consumption is reduced and maintenance is enabled, but storage services become unavailable to users

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage service availabilityVSAvoidserver architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The server system is segmented into two independent service modules: computing services and storage services. Each module has its own processor and can operate independently. The storage services device includes a storage processor that handles storage operations separately from the computing processor, allowing storage services to remain available even when computing services are halted for maintenance or power loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Storage services are extracted from the computing services and placed in a separate storage services device within the server. This extraction allows the storage functionality to be maintained independently from the computing functionality, so that when computing services are taken offline, storage services continue to operate and remain accessible to users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If computing and storage services are combined in a single server system, then device complexity is reduced, but storage services cannot be accessed when computing services are offline

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous storage accessVSAvoidseparated processing units

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The server system is segmented into two independent service modules: computing services and storage services. Each module has its own processor and can operate independently. The storage services device includes a storage processor that handles storage operations separately from the computing processor, allowing storage services to remain available even when computing services are halted for maintenance or power loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Use of energy by moving object

If the entire server is kept running to maintain storage service access, then storage services remain available, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidstorage service availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The server system is segmented into two independent service modules: computing services and storage services. Each module has its own processor and can operate independently. The storage services device includes a storage processor that handles storage operations separately from the computing processor, allowing storage services to remain available even when computing services are halted for maintenance or power loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables selective powering on and off of service modules. Computing services can be periodically halted for maintenance or energy saving while storage services continue operating. This periodic control of different service modules allows the system to reduce energy consumption during non-peak periods while maintaining storage availability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS11836390B2Smart storage services device

Publication Date: 2023.12.05 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A storage services device includes: a first processor that provides first server services for a server having a second processor that is coupled to a second storage and that provides second server services of the server and a storage controller coupled to a first storage of the server that transmits information about the first storage to the first processor. The storage services device is disposed in the server and disaggregates, within the server, the first server services from the second server services.