Virtualized Target Channel Adapter for Multi-Protocol Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage systems face inefficiencies when scaling out beyond a single bus protocol, as they require replication of target channel adapters for each connection, leading to increased complexity and resource usage, particularly when interfacing multiple clients with multiple storage modules using different bus protocols like PCIe and Ethernet.
Innovation Solution
Virtualization of a single RoCE engine within a silicon device allows it to be shared across multiple PCIe and Ethernet endpoints, using metadata and context state management to expose each endpoint as a separate instance, reducing the need for multiple physical adapters and optimizing resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple physical target channel adapters are replicated for each connection between clients and storage modules, then connection reliability and performance are improved, but device complexity and resource usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single target channel adapter that can serve multiple PCIe endpoints and Ethernet interfaces simultaneously through virtualization. The TCA is designed with multi-functionality to handle different protocol types (PCIe and Ethernet) and serve multiple clients without requiring separate physical adapters for each connection, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining connection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a protocol conversion mechanism within the target channel adapter that acts as an intermediary between PCIe endpoints and Ethernet interfaces. This mediator capability allows the single TCA to translate and manage data transfers between different protocols, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated adapters while preserving connection integrity
2Productivity
If multiple physical target channel adapters are used to interface multiple clients with multiple storage modules, then data transfer throughput is improved, but hardware resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple target channel adapters into a single unified TCA device. By combining PCIe interface handling, Ethernet interface handling, and protocol conversion capabilities into one adapter, the system achieves high data transfer throughput across multiple storage modules without proportionally increasing hardware resources
Solution Approach 2:
The target channel adapter is designed as a universal device that can simultaneously serve multiple clients and storage modules across different protocols. This multi-functionality allows a single TCA to perform the work of multiple dedicated adapters, optimizing hardware resource utilization while maintaining high productivity
3Adaptability or versatility
If protocol conversion between PCIe and Ethernet is implemented using separate adapters, then protocol compatibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The target channel adapter incorporates universal protocol handling capabilities, supporting both PCIe and Ethernet protocols within a single device. This multi-protocol support is integrated into the TCA's core functionality, allowing it to perform protocol conversion and data transfer across different protocols without requiring separate dedicated adapters for each protocol type
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges protocol conversion functionality with the target channel adapter's core data transfer operations. By combining PCIe interface, Ethernet interface, and protocol translation capabilities into a single integrated TCA, the system achieves protocol compatibility while minimizing device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A target channel adapter in configured to generate and maintain for each of a plurality of endpoints a corresponding set of metadata. Each endpoint is associated with a corresponding set of storage modules and the set of metadata corresponding to each endpoint is associated with accessing storage locations in the set of storage modules associated with that endpoint. The target channel adapter is configured to use the set of metadata to provide to a remote client associated with a media access controller access to data stored in one or more of said storage modules.