Distributed data storage system with peer-to-peer optimization

Abstract

Method and apparatus for offloading upstream processing tasks to peer groups of downstream data storage devices. A peer control circuit forms a peer group of storage devices in response to a detected processing bottleneck associated with a network controller. One of the storage devices in the peer group is designated as a primary device, and is responsible for interface communications, for subdividing the processing task for execution by secondary devices in the peer group, and coordinating overall execution. The peer group and the processing task are selected to avoid or minimize the processing bottleneck at the network controller level while maintaining ongoing data transfer performance at the storage device level. A list of available device resources and capabilities may be maintained by the peer control circuit. Offloaded tasks can include data rebuilds, cryptographic functions, new device authentication operations, and the like. Multiple overlapping peer groups can be formed as needed.