Reviving QEMU-NVMe Device (Journey towards Subsystem)

NVMe technology is rapidly evolving to bridge gaps in memory industry, NVMe spec.1.4 is completely adopted and next refracted version is in pipeline with more streamlining. Realization of new features into real device will take longer time and face challenges like cross/legacy module impact and functional blockage. Readiness of host test infrastructure & keeping the tests ready before the actual Firmware/Hardware availability is critical and helps in early time to market.

The proposed NVMe Protocol Simulator enables easy proto typing and shift left development of host test framework in parallel without dependency on hardware /firmware for new Features. This solution enables complete NVMe Subsystem support with up to 32 controllers. Also has Features FormatNVM, End-to-End Data protection by enabling metadata support, Simple Copy, Boot Partitions area which can be read by the host without enabling controller and queues. This also helps corner case scenarios & device limited scenarios like 64k IO Queues emulation. Samsung open source repo provides some of the additional optional features which are not available upstream. NVMe protocol simulator is based on QEMU has advantage of emulating the NVMe drive as PCIe Device, this will enable ‘As-Is’ usage of host test infra between Simulator and real SSD.

NVMe protocol simulator solution provides a cost effective way of early development of host test infrastructure and tests for new NVMe features. In addition, early detection of Errata during development of Simulator.

Presented by Karthik Balan, Associate Director & Gollu Appalanaidu, Software Engineer, Samsung
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