Running an independent task in connection with synchronous I/O operations
Running an independent task in connection with a synchronous I/O operation between a storage system and a host includes starting the synchronous I/O operation, setting a timer for the synchronous I/O operation, starting the independent task that runs while waiting for completion of the synchronous I/O operation, and aborting the synchronous I/O operation in response to the timer expiring prior to completion of the synchronous I/O operation. The independent task may be ended in response to the timer expiring. The independent task may be ended in response to the I/O operation completing. The synchronous I/O operation may be performed using a high speed connection between the storage system and the host, which may be coupled to a smart network interface controller provided on a director board in the storage system. The smart network interface controller may include a system on a chip having a processor, memory, and non-volatile storage.
1. A method of running an independent task in connection with a synchronous I/O operation between a storage system and a host, comprising:
starting the synchronous I/O operation;
setting a timer for the synchronous I/O operation;
starting the independent task that runs while waiting for completion of the synchronous I/O operation, wherein the independent task is ended in response to one of: the timer expiring or the I/O operation completing; and
aborting the synchronous I/O operation in response to the timer expiring prior to completion of the synchronous I/O operation.
2. A method, according to claim 1 , wherein the synchronous I/O operation is performed using an optical cable connection between the storage system and the host.
3. A method, according to claim 2 , wherein the optical cable connection is coupled to a smart network interface controller provided on a director board in the storage system.
4. A method, according to claim 3 , wherein the smart network interface controller includes a system on a chip having a processor, memory, and non-volatile storage.
5. A method, according to claim 4 , wherein the smart network interface controller is a LimeStoneDX SLIC running a PCI PEX8733 Draco chip from Broadcom Corporation of San Jose, Calif.
6. A method, according to claim 1 , further comprising:
performing an asynchronous I/O operation using data that was used for the synchronous operation in response to the timer expiring prior to completion of the synchronous I/O operation.
7. A method, according to claim 6 , wherein the asynchronous I/O operation is performed using an alternative connection between the host and the storage system.
8. A method, according to claim 7 , wherein the alternative connection is a Fibre Channel connection.
9. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing software that runs an independent task in connection with a synchronous I/O operation between a storage system and a host, comprising:
executable code that starts the synchronous I/O operation;
executable code that sets a timer for the synchronous I/O operation;
executable code that starts the independent task that runs while waiting for completion of the synchronous I/O operation, wherein the independent task is ended in response to one of: the timer expiring or the I/O operation completing; and
executable code that aborts the synchronous I/O operation in response to the timer expiring prior to completion of the synchronous I/O operation.
10. A non-transitory computer readable medium, according to claim 9 , wherein the synchronous I/O operation is performed using an optical cable connection between the storage system and the host.
11. A non-transitory computer readable medium, according to claim 10 , wherein the optical cable connection is coupled to a smart network interface controller provided on a director board in the storage system.
12. A non-transitory computer readable medium, according to claim 11 , wherein the smart network interface controller includes a system on a chip having a processor, memory, and non-volatile storage.
13. A non-transitory computer readable medium, according to claim 12 , wherein the smart network interface controller is a LimeStoneDX SLIC running a PCI PEX8733 Draco chip from Broadcom Corporation of San Jose, Calif.
14. A non-transitory computer readable medium, according to claim 9 , further comprising:
executable code that performs an asynchronous I/O operation using data that was used for the synchronous operation in response to the timer expiring prior to completion of the synchronous I/O operation.
15. A non-transitory computer readable medium, according to claim 14 , wherein the asynchronous I/O operation is performed using an alternative connection between the host and the storage system.
16. A non-transitory computer readable medium, according to claim 15 , wherein the alternative connection is a Fibre Channel connection.
17. A computer system, comprising:
a processor;
a controller, coupled to the processor, that communicates with a storage system coupled to the computer system;
a non-transitory computer readable medium coupled to the processor and the controller and containing software that runs an independent task in connection with a synchronous I/O operation between the storage system and the computer system, the software including executable code that starts the synchronous I/O operation, executable code that sets a timer for the synchronous I/O operation, executable code that starts the independent task that runs while waiting for completion of the synchronous I/O operation, wherein the independent task is ended in response to one of: the timer expiring or the I/O operation completing, and executable code that aborts the synchronous I/O operation in response to the timer expiring prior to completion of the synchronous I/O operation.
18. A computer system, according to claim 17 , wherein the synchronous I/O operation is performed using an optical cable connection between the storage system and the host.
19. A computer system, according to claim 18 , wherein the optical cable connection is coupled to a smart network interface controller provided on a director board in the storage system.
20. A computer system, according to claim 19 , wherein the smart network interface controller includes a system on a chip having a processor, memory, and non-volatile storage.
21. A computer system, according to claim 17 , wherein the software also includes executable code that uses the controller to perform an asynchronous I/O operation with data that was used for the synchronous operation in response to the timer expiring prior to completion of the synchronous I/O operation.