Research on ATCA-based content aware storage data gateway

Abstract

This research proposes a new Storage Data Gateway (SDG) on Content Aware Storage System (CASS). The CASS consists of storage application service, content auto-tiering storage; management and control sever which is the Content Management Server (CMS). The system gives each stored object a unique content address, derived from the content itself. The physical location of stored information becomes irrelevant to users. The CMS takes advantage of the tier data architecture and decides data migration strategists. But the CMS will be overload if the system assigns the backup and data migration work to it on LAN-based model. That server does not need to control each data duplication or migration. It will be free with Sever-free model. The system needs some special device to transfer data between highspeed storage node and low-speed storage node and intermix FC storage node and IP storage node with content information instead of the responsibility of CMS like on LAN-based model. That device is a new type of SDG which needs content aware, high bandwidth, strong computing ability, and high reliability. According to those requirements, we design the Content Aware SDG (CA-SDG) based on ATCA specifications. Advanced Telecommunications Computing Architecture (ATCA) is a new series of PICMG specifications, targeted to requirements for the next generation of carrier grade communications equipment. This series of specifications incorporates the latest trends in high speed interconnect technologies, next generation processors and improved reliability, manageability and serviceability. The hardware system of CA-SDG consists of two compute units (one unit deal with commands from CMS, the other interpreter data between storage nodes), two network switch units (one is redundant), two network interface units (one group units interconnect application service layer, and the other group provide the communication of heterogeneous storage nodes), one local storage unit and one manager unit. The network switch units and compute units make up of a dual star switch network. Network interface units and local storage units which are in the form of AMC card connect Compute unit through PCI-E bus, supplying extended network interface and local storage capacity to compute unit. The manager unit is responsible for the management of whole CA-SDG device.