CN201149691Y

CN201149691Y - Memory device

Info

Publication number: CN201149691Y
Application number: CNU2007200764260U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 请求不公开姓名
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-11-06
Filing date: 2007-11-06
Publication date: 2008-11-12
Anticipated expiration: 2017-11-06

Abstract

The utility model discloses a storage device which comprises a main board and a plurality of storage modules. The main board includes a processor and a main interface module. The storage modules are connected with the main board through the main interface module. Each storage module comprises an interface module, a flash controller and a memory; each storage module operates separately; wherein, the flash controller is used for assisting the data exchange between the interface module and the memory; the main board is used for detecting the number of the storage modules, dividing the inputted data into a plurality of data blocks and assigning the data blocks to a part of or all the storage modules so that the storage modules can write the data blocks into the corresponding memories. The parallel processing method not only can improve the capacity of the storage device, but also can improve the data read-write speed.

Description

Memory storage

Technical field

The utility model relates to the data storage device field, particularly the flash memory formula memory storage of using applicable to server (flash memory-based storage device).

Technical background

Hard disk (being also sometimes referred to as hard disk drive, hard disk drive) comes record data by the mode of magnetized magnetic material, by the magnetic that detects magnetisable material data is read.Common hard disk generally includes rotating shaft (spindle), is immobilizated in one or more flattened round disc and the reading and writing data heads (read/write head) that are called as magnetic disc dish (platter) in the rotating shaft, described magnetic disc dish is to be made by non-magnetic materials such as glass or aluminium, be coated with very thin one deck magnetisable material on it to form magnetic surface, data just are recorded on the magnetic surface of magnetic disc dish.

Described magnetic disc dish with very high rotating speed around rotating shaft rotation, the magnetic disc dish turn over be positioned at its magnetic surface very near above read/write head the time, data can be written into or read the magnetic disc dish by read/write head.Described read/write head is used for detecting fast or revising the magnetic of its lower magnetic material.All to a read/write head should be arranged, these read/write heads are installed on the common actuating arm magnetic surface of each magnetic disc dish.Described actuating arm can be radially the driving read/write head so that read/write head can be visited nearly all magnetic surface of magnetic disc dish when the magnetic disc disc spins.

Though traditional hard disk is being updated at aspects such as speed, capacity and costs, how many its basic functional principle do not change, and it remains mechanically in operation.May reach its limit very soon in the effort aspect reduction size, the power consumption.Therefore, because the development potentiality of flash memory (flash memory), flash memory formula memory storage (flash memory-based storage device) begins to cause the concern of storage industry.

Flash memory is a nonvolatile memory, that is to say, it still can maintain the information that is stored in it after power down.In addition, flash memory has than hard disk read or write speed and better anti-seismic performance faster.Yet following period of time in the past, the high price of flash memory have stoped it to enter the mass storage device field, such as blade server (blade sever) field.

Along with declining to a great extent and the lasting rising of capacity of the price of flash memory in recent years, flash memory formula data storage solution begins to come true under the situation of taking into account price and performance, and has the total cost that can help to reduce this flash memory formula data storage device of running.In addition; the problem that in hard disk drive, can occur the magnetic head damage usually; when the magnetic head damage occurring; may cause the part or all of loss of data that is stored thereon; flash memory formula data storage device then this problem can not occur fully; put from this, flash memory formula data storage device is more safe and reliable than hard disk drive.

However, when flash memory was applied to mass storage device such as blade memory storage (blade storagedevice), two problems must be considered.One is read or write speed, and another is wear control (wearingcontrol).In the hand-held memory storage application of present flash memory, such as in the USB1.0 of digital camera or the memory stick of USB2.0 (flash memory stick) or safe digital card (SD card), its capacity is relatively little, because described flash memory is generally used for insensitivity data storage time (not time sensitivedata), such as image or hand-held data, may not can special strict to the requirement of the read or write speed of flash memory.But the capacity as 500Gbytes in the blade memory storage can be found everywhere, and with respect to the blade memory storage, the capacity of the flash memory in the above-mentioned application is very little, and replacing the blade memory storage is not general workload.Therefore, though wear control is more valued, but be unlike in the such harshness that requires in the mass storage device in the low capacity memory storage.In addition, described mass storage device often is used to storage and starts a system such as data in server, and is high especially to the requirement of read or write speed.

The utility model content

In view of this, one of them purpose of the present utility model is to provide and has parallel processing capability to keep the memory storage of high speed reads writing rate.The utility model another purpose wherein is to provide to have according to data character and does not coexist in the different flash memory stores structures storage data to keep the flash memory best effort life-span.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one side of the present utility model, the utility model provides a kind of memory storage, and it comprises mainboard and several memory modules, and described mainboard includes processor and main interface module; Described several memory modules are connected with mainboard by the main interface module, and each memory module includes interface module, flash controller and storer, the running that each memory module is separate.Wherein said flash controller is used to assist the exchanges data between interface module and the storer, described mainboard be used for the detection of stored module quantity, the data that enter are divided into several data blocks and give part or all of memory module so that these memory modules write its respective memory to these data simultaneously with these data blocks by the main interface module assignment.

Further, whether described processor is used for detecting has memory module and the disengaging of main interface module or does not have new memory module and main interface module to connect, to such an extent as to the data block allocations of memory module can be adjusted in view of the above.

Further, described processor is used to guarantee that each memory module is average that use or new memory module is used more frequently than other memory module.

Further, described processor is used for guaranteeing this data allocations is gone into same memory module when data independence.

Further, the storer of each memory module includes SLC flash memory nuclear and MLC flash memory nuclear.

Further again, described processor is used to judge the characteristic of the data that enter, if the frequent data of using are gone into SLC flash memory nuclear with the data storage that enters, if the data of less frequent use are gone into MLC flash memory nuclear with the data storage that enters.

Further again, the data of described frequent use comprise needs the data brought in constant renewal in operating system and the database, and the data of described less frequent use often comprise audio frequency, image or video data accessed or that read.

According on the other hand of the present utility model, the utility model provides a kind of memory storage, and it comprises mainboard and reach several memory modules that described mainboard includes processor and main interface module; Described several memory modules are connected with mainboard by the main interface module, and each memory module includes interface module, flash controller, first kind flash memory and second type flash memories; Wherein said mainboard be used for the detection of stored module quantity, the data that enter are divided into several data blocks and give part or all of memory module with these data blocks by the main interface module assignment.

Further, described processor is used to judge the characteristic of the data that enter, if the frequent data of using are gone into SLC flash memory nuclear with the data storage that enters, if the data of less frequent use are gone into MLC flash memory nuclear with the data storage that enters.

Further, the data of described frequent use comprise needs the data brought in constant renewal in operating system and the database, and the data of described less frequent use often comprise audio frequency, image or video data accessed or that read.

So compared with prior art, in the technical scheme that the utility model proposes, the utility model is divided into the data that enter the complex data piece and gives part or all of memory module with the complex data piece by the main interface module assignment by described mainboard, and parallel processing data like this can make memory storage keep read or write speed at a high speed.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the block diagram of an embodiment of the flash memory formula memory storage in the utility model;

Fig. 2 is the block scheme of an embodiment of the memory module in the utility model; With

Fig. 3 is the schematic flow sheet that writes data in the utility model to memory module.

Embodiment

Below in conjunction with Figure of description embodiment of the present utility model is described.

Fig. 1 is the block diagram of an embodiment of the flash memory formula memory storage (flash memory-based storage device) 100 in the utility model.Described flash memory formula memory storage 100 comprises mainboard 102 and several memory modules 104, and described several memory modules can be called as the memory module group.Described mainboard 102 comprises interface module 106, cache module 108, protocol module 110 and processor 112.To such an extent as to described interface module 106 is used to connect described memory module group's 104 data and can writes any one memory module 104 or read from any one memory module 104.Described cache module 108 is used for the swap data between any one memory module 104 of buffer memory and the main frame (such as the computing machine on the network).Described protocol module 110 is used to provide agreement that exchanges data follows to make things convenient for the carrying out of exchanges data, and described agreement can be IDE (integrateddevice electronics), SATA (serial advanced technology attachment), SCSI (smallcomputer system interface) or USB3.0.

In one embodiment, described interface module 106 can detect extension memory module group's 104 thereon quantity automatically.According to the needs of memory capacity, each memory module 104 can be able to be connected on the interface module 106 with unloading.Bigger if desired capacity, an extra memory module can be loaded onto and be hung to the memory module of interface module 106 as memory module group 104.No matter when increased memory module or unloaded memory module, described interface module 106 can both detect.In addition, the also in store tables of data that has been deposited in memory module group 104 about data block of described interface module 106.Such as, for average use memory module group 104, one two field pictures are divided into several data blocks, these data blocks are by on a rough average writing among some or all memory module groups 104.

Yet, in one embodiment, if desired Cun Chu data be relatively independent or size smaller, the data block of the described data that need store can not be assigned in a plurality of memory modules and store, this data time ratio of visit is easier to, is not easy to occur because the memory module of a storage area data block when being removed and can not its data of access.

In the picture blade server, suppose that all memory module groups 104 pile up on the class's of putting frame.When unloading next memory module that has had several data blocks from the class's of putting frame, described interface module 106 can detect the absence of described memory module.When read operation, if there is the partial data piece to be stored in the memory module that has unloaded, described interface module 106 can be sent one and be used to remind and reinstall this alerting signal that has unloaded memory module to guarantee carrying out smoothly of described read operation.Same, when a brand-new memory module was added into the class's of putting frame, described interface module 106 can remember that it also distributes the more data piece to give described brand-new memory module.Like this, all memory modules can be by average use to prolong the serviceable life of memory module.

Fig. 2 is the block scheme of an embodiment of the memory module 200 in the utility model.Described memory module 200 comprises at least one multilevel-cell (Muti Level Cell, being called for short MLC) flash memory is examined (flash memorycore) 202, at least one single layer cell (single level cell is called for short SLC) flash memory is examined (flash memorycore) 204, flash controller 206, interface module 208 and processor 210.MLC and two kinds of different technology in SLC is the flash memory field, their key distinction is: SLC is every unit storage one digit number certificate, and MLC is by utilizing multivoltage level technology to make each unit storage two bits.Therefore, MLC provides the higher density of data storage than SLC.But the ability that each unit can store a plurality of data has also been brought the shortcoming on reliability and the performance simultaneously.Comparatively speaking, the SLC flash memory has more performance, serviceable life and reliability than MLC flash memory.

In one embodiment, described flash controller 206 and processor 210 are provided for writing to SLC flash memory nuclear 204 data of frequent use, write the data of less frequent use to MLC flash memory nuclear 202.The example of the frequent data of using can comprise needs the data brought in constant renewal in operating system and the database.The example of the data of less frequent use often can comprise audio frequency, image or video data accessed or that read.Different data are dispensed into different flash memory nuclear, can keep the high power capacity of memory module 200 simultaneously under the situation of not any sacrifice in performance, life-span and reliability like this.

In addition, described flash controller 206 also is used to provide the function of defect management, wearing and tearing management and error correcting coding when data are read out or write memory module 200.In one embodiment, described flash controller 206 can also provide encipheror to encrypt some particular data when flash memory nuclear writes data.

Described interface module 208 is used for the communication between the mainboard 102 of coordinate storage module 200 and Fig. 1.No matter when described memory module 200 is mounted or appends on the mainboard 102, and described interface module 208 all can be activated.When specific implementation, the communication between described interface module 208 and the interface module 106 need be followed certain agreement, and described agreement is high speed protocol preferably, such as IDE, SCSI, SATA-I, SATA-II, USB3.0 etc.

In essence, each memory module 104 among Fig. 1 or memory module 200 all are independent operatings.Memory module comprises its processor, one or more flash controller, storage module or flash memory nuclear, random access memory (RAM, not shown) and other logical circuits (not shown).When memory module was connected to mainboard 102, it just brought into operation and is synchronous with processor 112 maintenances on the mainboard.Described processor 112 is used for distribute data all data manipulations to some or all extensions memory module thereon and managed storage module.

Fig. 3 is the schematic flow sheet that writes data in the utility model to memory module.Described flow process method 300 in other words can be understood in conjunction with Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, and it may be implemented as a kind of hardware, also may be implemented as the combination of software and hardware.In one embodiment, in step 302, described mainboard 102 is determined the quantity of memory module.This step is necessary, and it can make processor 112 distribute data in available memory module store.In one embodiment, described mainboard 102 comprises storer on the plate, storer can be stored each serviceable life that is hung on the memory module on the mainboard 102 and operating position on the described plate, and these data can be obtained from the flash controller of each memory module or generate automatically when a new memory module is used for the first time.

In step 304, need judge whether that data need write memory module.From main frame (such as network computer) when entering, described method 300 just begins to carry out as data.In step 306, the characteristic of specified data.In step 308, if data are frequent that use or renewal, described method 300 enters step 310 need be written into SLC flash memory nuclear to indicate described data.When specific implementation, described processor 112 can send instruction, and it enters the sign of corresponding SLC flash memory nuclear so that the flash controller of selected memory module writes described data its corresponding SLC flash memory nuclear or implant guiding in described data.In step 314, described data are divided into several data blocks, and described these data blocks are assigned with in the SLC flash memory nuclear that writes on some or all memory modules.

Get back to step 308, if data are less frequent uses, described method 300 enters step 312 need be written into MLC flash memory nuclear to indicate described data.When specific implementation, described processor 112 can send instruction, and it enters the sign of corresponding MLC flash memory nuclear so that the flash controller of selected memory module writes described data its corresponding M LC flash memory nuclear or implant guiding in described data.In step 316, several data blocks that described data are divided into, described these data blocks are dispensed in the MLC flash memory nuclear of some or all memory modules.

A purpose of the present utility model is to provide has parallel processing capability to keep the solid-state storage device of high speed reads writing rate.Take this, the time sensitivity data also can be kept in this type of memory storage.This solid-state storage device can be used to start a computer system (such as: operating system).

Another purpose of the present utility model is to write wherein a kind of flash memory, the data of less frequent use are write wherein another kind of flash memory by the data that will frequently use, has both the advantage of these two kinds of flash memories with this.

The above only is preferred embodiment of the present utility model, and is in order to restriction the utility model, not all within spirit of the present utility model and principle, any modification of being done, is equal to replacement etc., all should be included within the protection domain of the present utility model.

Claims

1, a kind of memory storage, it comprises mainboard and several memory modules, it is characterized in that,

Be used for the quantity of detection of stored module, the mainboard that the data that enter are divided into several data blocks includes processor and main interface module; Each memory module includes interface module, flash controller and storer, the running that each memory module is separate wherein is used to assist the flash controller of the exchanges data between interface module and the storer to be connected with storer with described interface module respectively;

Described several memory modules are connected with mainboard by the main interface module, and described mainboard is exported the extremely part or all of memory module of described several data blocks so that these memory modules write its corresponding memory with these data simultaneously by the main interface module.

2, memory storage as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, is provided with SLC flash memory nuclear and MLC flash memory nuclear in the storer of each memory module.

3, memory storage as claimed in claim 2, it is characterized in that, the output of described processor comprises the data of the frequent use that needs the data brought in constant renewal in operating system and the database to SLC flash memory nuclear, and output often comprises that data to the MLC flash memory of the less frequent use of accessed or audio frequency, image or the video data read examines.

4, a kind of memory storage, it comprises mainboard and reaches several memory modules, it is characterized in that,

Described mainboard includes processor and main interface module;

Described several memory modules are connected with mainboard by the main interface module, and each memory module includes interface module, flash controller, first kind flash memory and second type flash memories;

The mainboard that wherein be used for the quantity of detection of stored module, the data that enter is divided into several data blocks is exported these data blocks to part or all of memory module by the main interface module.

5, memory storage as claimed in claim 4, it is characterized in that, the output of described processor comprises the data of the frequent use that needs the data brought in constant renewal in operating system and the database to described first kind flash memory, and output often comprises that the data of less frequent use of accessed or audio frequency, image or the video data read are to described second type flash memories.