Connecting and disconnecting a communication link between an end node and discovery controller in a non-volatile memory express environment

Abstract

To more effectively and efficiently use connections in a Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) environment, embodiments allow an end node to disconnect from a discovery controller (DC). For example, after an initial connection duration, the end node may disconnect from the DC. Once the end node disconnects, the DC may change the end node's status to an 'INACTIVE' state. In one or more embodiments, the end node's status change from “ACTIVE” to “INACTIVE” does not trigger a notification to be sent to any end node interacting or related to that end node. Embodiments may also include one or more reconnecting processes such as a keep alive check and/or to communicate updates/changes. Additionally, or alternatively, a reconnection process (e.g., a kickstart process) may be initiated by the DC or the end node to cause the end node to reconnect so that updated/changed information may be shared with the end node.