Virtualized Device Local Memory Management for Computational Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems lack efficient mechanisms for managing device local memory in computational storage devices, particularly in virtualized environments, leading to increased network latencies, reduced operational data transfer rates, and higher costs due to network traffic management.
Innovation Solution
The system provides protocols and techniques for managing device local memory, including virtualization and standardized APIs, allowing seamless operation across direct and virtualized environments, reducing network latencies and improving data transfer rates while minimizing host intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If device local memory is managed without virtualization protocols, then memory management is simpler, but network latencies increase and data transfer rates reduce
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal memory management protocol that enables the storage device to function both as a traditional storage device and as a computational device with virtualized memory. The NVMe interface and namespace mechanisms provide multi-functional capability, allowing the same device to handle both storage operations and in-device computation with standardized protocols, thereby improving data transfer rates without significantly increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer in the form of a virtualization protocol that mediates between the host system and the device local memory. This intermediary enables efficient memory management by providing standardized interfaces for memory allocation, address translation, and resource management, reducing network latencies while maintaining manageable complexity through abstraction.
2Productivity
If device local memory is virtualized, then memory management efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the device local memory into multiple namespaces, each independently manageable and assignable to different computational tasks or tenants. This segmentation enables efficient memory management by allowing granular control over memory allocation, isolation, and resource management without requiring complex global management mechanisms, thereby improving productivity while controlling complexity through modular organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic memory management where memory resources can be allocated, deallocated, and reconfigured on-demand based on computational requirements. The virtualization protocol allows runtime adjustments to memory assignments, enabling flexible resource utilization that improves management efficiency while the standardized NVMe interface keeps implementation complexity manageable through programmable control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If standardized APIs are implemented for memory management, then adaptability across different storage devices improves, but implementation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the existing NVMe interface as a universal standardized API that can be applied across different types of storage devices including SSDs, HDDs, and emerging storage technologies. By building upon this established standard rather than creating a new proprietary interface, the patent achieves broad adaptability and cross-device compatibility while avoiding the complexity of implementing a completely new standardized API from scratch.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are systems, methods, and apparatuses for managing storage device memory. A method can include receiving, from a host, a command for managing the memory; performing, by the storage device, the command on first data stored on the memory via at least one processing element in the storage device to generate second data; and transmitting, by the storage device, third data based on the second data to the host.