Virtual Namespace Storage Expansion via Peer Node Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
NVMe SSDs have limited storage capacity and restricted connection management, preventing on-demand storage capacity expansion and leading to over-provisioning and increased total cost of ownership in data centers.
Innovation Solution
A storage system with a storage node controller that manages virtual namespaces, allowing dynamic expansion of storage space within a node or across peer nodes via peer-to-peer communication, enabling on-demand storage provisioning and optimizing disk usage through virtual namespace management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If storage capacity of NVMe SSD is limited to physical flash capacity, then device simplicity is maintained, but storage capacity cannot be dynamically increased on-demand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments storage capacity into virtual namespaces that can be independently managed and allocated. Each virtual namespace represents a logical partition of storage space that can be dynamically assigned to different applications or users, enabling flexible capacity provisioning without physical reconfiguration of the NVMe SSD.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a storage manager as an intermediary layer between the application and the physical NVMe SSD. This storage manager handles namespace creation, capacity allocation, and dynamic expansion requests, abstracting the complexity from both the application and the physical storage device while enabling on-demand capacity increases.
2Productivity
If multiple NVMe connections are multiplexed to a group of devices, then scaling and performance are improved, but connection management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the storage manager a universal component that handles multiple NVMe connections and manages multiple virtual namespaces simultaneously. The storage manager provides multi-functional capabilities including connection management, namespace provisioning, capacity allocation, and dynamic expansion, simplifying the management of complex multi-connection scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the storage manager continuously monitors storage capacity usage, connection status, and namespace allocation across the NVMe SSD group. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of capacity provisioning and connection routing to optimize performance while maintaining manageable complexity through automated control.
3Quantity of substance
If storage capacity allocation is static, then device simplicity is maintained, but over-provisioning occurs leading to increased total cost of ownership
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static storage capacity allocation into a dynamic system where virtual namespaces can be created, expanded, and reconfigured on-demand. The storage manager automatically adjusts capacity allocation based on actual application needs, enabling the system to adapt to changing storage requirements without over-provisioning and reducing total cost of ownership.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage node in a cluster of storage nodes includes: one or more local storage devices; and a storage node controller. The storage node controller includes: a host interface configured to connect to an application running on a host computer; a storage manager configured to manage one or more virtual namespaces; and a storage device controller configured to manage respective namespace associated with the one or more storage devices. The storage manager is further configured to expand a storage space associated with a virtual namespace on demand on the one or more local storage devices of the storage node at a request of the application running on the host computer when the storage node has a sufficient storage space. the storage manager is further configured to communicate with a peer storage manager of a second storage node over a network and expand the storage space associated with the virtual namespace on demand on a local storage device of the second storage node at the request of the application running on the host computer when the storage node has an insufficient storage space.