Memory controller utilizing an error coding dispersal function
View Patent ↗A memory controller comprises at least a memory control processing module and/or a distributed storage processing module. A method begins by the memory control processing module receiving a memory access request regarding a data segment. The method continues with the memory control processing module interpreting the memory access request to determine whether an error coding dispersal function of the data segment is applicable. The method continues with the memory control processing module sending the memory access request to the distributed storage processing module when the error coding dispersal function is applicable. The method continues with the distributed storage processing module performing the error coding dispersal function on the data segment to produce an error coded processed data segment. The method continues with the distributed storage processing module sending the error coded processed data segment to the memory control processing module.
1. A memory controller for using in a computing device, the memory controller comprises:
a memory control processing module operable to:
receive, from a processing module of the computing device, a memory access request regarding a data segment;
interpret the memory access request to determine whether an error coding dispersal function of the data segment is applicable;
when the error coding dispersal function is applicable, send the memory access request to a distributed storage processing module; and
when the error coding dispersal function is not applicable, access main memory of the computing device regarding the data segment;
the distributed storage processing module operable to:
when the memory access request is a write request:
perform the error coding dispersal function on the data segment to produce an error coded processed data segment; and
send the error coded processed data segment to the memory control processing module, wherein the memory control processing module sends the error coded processed data segment for storage;
when the memory access request is a read request:
decode a plurality of data slices in accordance with the error coding dispersal function to produce a recovered data segment; and
send the recovered data segment to the memory control processing module, wherein the memory control processing module sends the recovered data segment to the processing module or to the main memory.
2. The memory controller of claim 1 further comprises:
the memory control processing module is further operable to:
receive the read request as the memory access request;
interpret the read request to determine that the data segment is storage as the plurality of data slices in accordance with the error coding dispersal function; and
address a plurality of memories to retrieve the plurality of data slices; and
the distributed storage processing module is further operable to:
perform the error coding dispersal function on the plurality of data slices to produce the recovered data segment.
3. The memory controller of claim 1 further comprises:
the memory control processing module is further operable to:
receive the write request as the memory access request;
interpret the write request to determine that the data segment is to be stored as a second plurality of data slices in accordance with the error coding dispersal function; and
address a plurality of memories to store the second plurality of data slices; and
the distributed storage processing module is further operable to:
perform the error coding dispersal function on the data segment to produce the second plurality of data slices as the error coded processed data segment.
4. The memory controller of claim 1 further comprises:
the memory control processing module is further operable to:
when the error coding dispersal function is not to be applied, convert a virtual memory address of the data segment to a non-distributed physical address;
when the error coding dispersal function is to be applied, send the memory access request to the distributed storage processing module; and
the distributed storage processing module is further operable to:
when the error coding dispersal function is applicable, convert the virtual memory address of the data segment to a plurality of distributed physical addresses.
5. The memory controller of claim 1 , the distributed storage processing module further functions to:
interpret the memory access request to determine vault information; and
facilitate storage of the vault information.
6. The memory controller of claim 1 further comprises:
a memory interface operable to couple the distributed storage processing module to the main memory such that the distributed storage processing module communicates with the main memory.