Storage System Path Grouping for Bandwidth Uniformity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage systems using connection-less protocols, such as NVMe, face performance differences between backend switches when cascade-connected, as they cannot establish transmission paths like connection-type protocols, leading to insufficient bandwidth and performance disparities.
Innovation Solution
A storage system with multiple storage devices and a controller that divides devices into groups, specifying data transfer paths for each group based on destination addresses, allowing each storage device to select paths according to the designated path, thereby eliminating performance differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If a backend switch is cascade-connected with a connection-less protocol, then the storage system capacity can be expanded, but the bandwidth of storage devices connected to latter stage backend switches cannot be obtained sufficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data transfer paths by dividing storage devices into multiple groups and assigning different path selection methods to each group. First-stage backend switch-connected devices use round-robin selection, while second-stage devices use fixed path selection, thereby separating traffic flows to ensure adequate bandwidth for all devices regardless of their connection stage.
2Volume of stationary object
If a backend switch is cascade-connected with a connection-less protocol, then the storage system can be expanded, but a performance difference between storage devices in former stage and latter stage backend switches occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing different path selection strategies tailored to each group's specific situation. Storage devices connected to first-stage backend switches use round-robin path selection, while those connected to second-stage switches use fixed path selection, ensuring that each group's performance characteristics are optimized for its specific connection topology.
3Device complexity
If connection-less protocol is used, then the storage system can be simplified, but transmission paths cannot be established previously like connection type protocol
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-dividing storage devices into groups and pre-determining path selection methods for each group before actual data transfer operations begin. This allows the system to establish effective transmission paths through predetermined strategies rather than requiring complex dynamic path establishment during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a storage system that includes a plurality of storage devices; a controller that controls the storage device including a processor and a memory; and a data transfer path connecting each of the storage devices to the controller. The storage device is divided into a plurality of groups. The controller specifies the storage device belonging to each of the plurality of groups among the plurality of storage devices connected via the plurality of independent data transfer paths, receives an access request to specify the storage device to be accessed, and designates the different data transfer paths for each group of the specified storage devices. The storage device performs data transfer by a connection-less protocol according to the designated data transfer path.