Abstract: Non-volatile Random Access Memory (NVR) on a storage system may be dynamically converted between use as temporary memory in a memory context and use as persistent memory in a storage context. NVR (e.g., embodied as DIMM) may be utilized in a hybrid capacity, where some of the NVR is used as memory and some of the NVR is used as storage, and where NVR memory is converted to memory as needed, dynamically as I/O is being processed using the NVR. A host system may be directly connected to an internal switching fabric of the data storage system without an intervening component of the storage system (e.g., a director) controlling access of the host system to the internal fabric or to the memory. The host system may provision and use the NVR as storage by directly communicating with the NVR over the internal fabric, for example, using RDMA.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to one or more memory management techniques. In embodiments, one or more regions of storage class memory (SCM) of a storage array is provisioned as expanded global memory. The one or more regions can correspond to SCM persistent cache memory regions. The storage array's global memory and expanded global memory can be used to execute one or more storage-related services connected to servicing (e.g., executing) an input/output (IO) operation.

Abstract: A Random Read Miss (RRM) distribution process monitors execution parameters of first, second, and third emulations of a storage engine, and distributes newly received read operations between the emulations. The RRM distribution process assigns newly received read operations to the first emulation, unless the CPU thread usage of the first emulation or the response time of the first emulation meet a first set of criteria. The RRM distribution process secondarily assigns newly received read operations to the second emulation, unless the CPU thread usage of the second emulation or the response time of the second emulation meet a second set of criteria. The RRM distribution process assigns all other newly received newly received read operations, that are not assigned to the first emulation or to the second emulation, to the third emulation. Distribution of read IOs between the emulations enables the storage engine to increase IOPs while minimizing response time.

Abstract: Mirrored volatile memory in a storage system is configured with a dual cast region of addresses. Buffers in the dual cast region are allocated for data associated with a received Write IO. A host IO device associates the dual cast addresses with the data. A switch or CPU complex recognizes the dual cast addresses associated with the data and, in response, creates and sends a first copy of the data to a first volatile memory mirror and creates and sends a second copy of the data to a second volatile memory mirror. The second copy may be sent via PCIe NTB between switches or CPU complexes.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to one or more memory management techniques. In embodiments, one or more regions of storage class memory (SCM) of a storage array is provisioned as expanded global memory. The one or more regions can correspond to SCM persistent cache memory regions. The storage array's global memory and expanded global memory can be used to execute one or more storage-related services connected to servicing (e.g., executing) an input/output (IO) operation.

Abstract: A portion of the shared global memory of a storage array is allocated for write-only blocks. Writes to a same-block of a production device may be accumulated in the allocated portion of memory. Temporal sequencing may be associated with each accumulated version of the same-block. When idle processing resources become available, the oldest group of same-blocks may be consolidated based on the temporal sequencing. The consolidated block may then be destaged to cache slots or managed drives. A group of same-blocks may also be consolidated in response to a read command.

Abstract: Non-volatile Random Access Memory (NVR) on a storage system may be dynamically converted between use as temporary memory in a memory context and use as persistent memory in a storage context. NVR (e.g., embodied as DIMM) may be utilized in a hybrid capacity, where some of the NVR is used as memory and some of the NVR is used as storage, and where NVR memory is converted to memory as needed, dynamically as I/O is being processed using the NVR. A host system may be directly connected to an internal switching fabric of the data storage system without an intervening component of the storage system (e.g., a director) controlling access of the host system to the internal fabric or to the memory. The host system may provision and use the NVR as storage by directly communicating with the NVR over the internal fabric, for example, using RDMA.

Abstract: Determining storage of particular data in cache memory of a storage device includes using a first mechanism to determine when to remove the particular data from the cache memory and using a second mechanism, independent from the first mechanism, to inhibit the particular data from being stored in the cache memory independent of whether the first mechanism otherwise causes the particular data to be stored in the cache memory. The first mechanism may remove data from the cache memory that was least recently accessed. The second mechanism may be based, at least in part, on a prediction value of an expected benefit of storing the particular data in the cache memory. The prediction value may be determined based on input data corresponding to measured cache read hits (RH), cache write hits (WH), cache read misses (RM), cache write destage operations (WD), and prefetch reads (PR) for the particular data.

Abstract: Determining storage of particular data in cache memory of a storage device includes using a first mechanism to determine when to remove the particular data from the cache memory and using a second mechanism, independent from the first mechanism, to inhibit the particular data from being stored in the cache memory independent of whether the first mechanism otherwise causes the particular data to be stored in the cache memory. The first mechanism may remove data from the cache memory that was least recently accessed. The second mechanism may be based, at least in part, on a prediction value of an expected benefit of storing the particular data in the cache memory. The prediction value may be determined based on input data corresponding to measured cache read hits (RH), cache write hits (WH), cache read misses (RM), cache write destage operations (WD), and prefetch reads (PR) for the particular data.

Abstract: A method includes: A. providing a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being adapted for mounting an electronic device thereon; B. forming a grid of electrically conductive vias extending from a region proximate the first surface to a region proximate the second surface, each via being one of a signal via, a ground via and a power via; C. removing at least one of the vias to form a void between at least one ground via and at least one power via; and D. connecting each of the at least one ground via proximate the void to one of the at least one power vias proximate the void with a filter device proximate the second surface of the substrate.