TECHNICAL AREA

This disclosure relates generally to data storage, and more specifically, to systems and methods for storing data in storage devices, datacenters, edge-centers and/or the like.

BACKGROUND

A storage system may include one or more storage devices such as hard disk drives (HHDs), solid state drives (SSDs), and/or the like, located in one or more chassis, racks, and/or the like. Data may be transferred between the storage devices and one or more local or remote hosts through a storage interface on each storage device and/or host. A storage device may be connected to a storage system by, for example, plugging a connector on the device into a corresponding connector on a midplane, switchboard, and/or the like. A storage system may also include a management component such as a baseboard management controller (BMC) which may perform configuration, monitoring, and/or other management functions for the storage system.

SUMMARY

A method may include transferring data between a host and a first storage device through a first storage interface, transferring data between the host and a second storage device through a second storage interface, and transferring data between the first storage device and the second storage device through a peer-to-peer channel. The method may further include discovering a topology of the peer-to-peer channel. Discovering the topology may be performed at least partially by one or more of the host, a management controller, or at least one of the storage devices. The method may further include configuring the first and second storage devices for Quality-of-Service (QoS). The storage devices may be configured for QoS by one or more of the host, a management controller, or at least one of the storage devices. The QoS may include one or more of a priority, a resource, or a performance level. The method may further include transferring data between the host and a third storage device through a third storage interface, and configuring the first, second and third storage devices as one or more peer-to-peer groups. A peer-to-peer group may be created dynamically. A peer-to-peer group may be configured for one or more of one-to-one, one-to-many, or many-to-many communication. At least one of the storage devices may perform at least one of a reliability, availability, or security function autonomously from the host.

A storage system may include a host interface, a first storage device having a first storage interface coupled to the host interface, a second storage device having a second storage interface coupled to the host interface, and a peer-to-peer bus coupled between the first and second storage devices. The peer-to-peer bus may include one or more of a wired bus, a wireless bus, or an optical bus. The first storage interface may be coupled to the host interface through a first storage connector, the second storage interface may be coupled to the host interface through a second storage connector, and the peer-to-peer bus is coupled between the first storage connector and the second storage connector. The peer-to-peer bus may include one or more passive connections. The peer-to-peer bus may include one or more active connections. The peer-to-peer bus may include a switch fabric. The peer-to-peer bus may be located at least partially on one of a midplane, a motherboard, or a switchboard. The first storage device may be coupled to the peer-to-peer bus through a first peer-to-peer connector, and the second storage device may be coupled to the peer-to-peer bus through a second peer-to-peer connector. The peer-to-peer bus may include one or more contacts arranged to couple the first peer-to-peer connector to the peer-to-peer bus. The one or more contacts may include one or more sliding contacts. The peer-to-peer bus may include one or more of a plate, a circuit board, a ribbon, or a cable. The system may be contained in an enclosure comprising one or more of a chassis, a rack, a room or a building.

A storage device may include a storage medium, a storage device controller coupled to the storage medium, a storage interface coupled to the storage device controller, and a peer-to-peer interface coupled to the storage device controller. The peer-to-peer interface may include one or more of a wired interface, a wireless interface, or an optical interface. The storage interface may include a two-port interface. The storage interface may be capable of loopback operation. The storage connector may be to the storage interface. The storage connector may be coupled to the peer-to-peer interface. The storage device may further include an additional connector coupled to the peer-to-peer interface. The additional connector may include one or more sliding contacts.

