Paper Title: PCIe Networked Flash Storage

Paper Abstract: Many connection technologies exist for Flash Storage, including Ethernet, Fibre Channel, PCI Express, and InfiniBand. This talk will focus on PCIe. Data Centers want to share storage readily among multiple compute nodes and be able to perform clustering, failover, and other system-wide operations. They thus need networked storage rather than the traditional direct-attached variety. However, networked storage introduces new tradeoffs in terms of cost, complexity, speed, latency, and other factors. Flash storage makes design even more difficult because of its higher bandwidth and performance, thus placing more strain on switches and adapters. How does PCIe solve the challenges of Flash Storage? Higher-speed versions are available, as well as lower-latency CPU to CPU connections such as NTB. Typical issues governing selection include familiarity with particular approaches, existing use, latency and performance requirements, scalability, ecosystem (including management tools), and cost. This talk will cover them all.

Paper Author: Peter Onufryk, Fellow Data Center Solutions BU, NVM Express

Author Bio: Peter is a Fellow in the Performance Solutions Business Unit at Microsemi, where he is responsible for NVM and PCI Express switch product architecture and post-silicon validation. He received a B.S.E.E. from Rutgers University, M.S.E.E. from Purdue University, and Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Rutgers University. Peter has been granted over 35 patents.