Network Switch First Burst Emulation for Legacy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Legacy storage systems in FC networks are not capable of supporting First Burst (FB) write operations, leading to latency issues due to the requirement for complex hardware updates and delayed adoption of newer protocols.
Innovation Solution
A network switch with an FB emulation module acts as a proxy, intercepting FB frames and emulating FB behavior by storing FB data as emulated data and transferring it using standard write operations, enabling FB operations between hosts and legacy storage systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If storage systems are updated to support First Burst (FB) write operations, then write latency is reduced, but device complexity and upgrade cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network switch acts as an intermediary device between the host and legacy storage systems. It receives FB write operations from the host, buffers the data, and then transfers it to the storage system using standard write protocols. This mediator approach allows the host to use FB operations while the storage system remains unchanged, resolving the contradiction between reducing latency and avoiding storage system complexity upgrades.
2Device complexity
If legacy storage systems continue to use standard write operations, then device complexity is maintained, but write latency increases due to multiple round trips
Solution Approach 1:
The network switch performs preliminary action by buffering FB write data before transferring it to the storage system. The host initiates the FB write operation and the switch captures and stores the data in advance, then transfers it to the storage system. This preliminary buffering action eliminates the need for legacy storage systems to support FB operations while still achieving reduced latency through the switch's optimization.
3Productivity
If hosts implement First Burst operations, then productivity increases, but compatibility issues arise with legacy storage systems
Solution Approach 1:
The network switch serves as a compatibility layer or mediator between FB-capable hosts and legacy storage systems. It translates FB write operations into standard write operations that legacy storage systems can understand, enabling hosts to maintain high productivity through FB operations while preserving compatibility with existing storage infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The network switch creates a virtual copy of the FB write operation handling. Instead of requiring the storage system to natively support FB operations, the switch emulates the FB behavior by buffering and transferring data, effectively copying the functionality needed for FB operations without modifying the legacy storage system.
Data Source
AI summary
First Burst (FB) emulation for a FB enabled host at a network switch is described. The FB write operation is an accelerated write input/output (I/O) method for fibre channel non-volatile memory express (NVMe) (FC-NVMe) traffic that reduces a number of communication phases between a host point and storage point. In some examples, a storage system connected to the FB enabled host, via the network switch, is not FB enabled. In this example, the network switch initiates a FB emulation to provide FB functions to the FB enabled host. The FB emulation at the network switch stores FB data from the host as emulated data at the network switch and then transfers the emulated data to the connected storage system using standard write I/O operations.