Network storage method, storage system, data processing unit, and computer system

A storage system, comprising:

• a host, comprising at least one first processor;
• a data processing unit comprising an initiator;
• and
• a storage device;
• wherein the data processing unit is external to the host and connected to the host through a peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) interface, and the storage device comprises a plurality of controllers and a plurality of logical units;
• wherein the at least one first processor of the host is configured to send an input/output request to the data processing unit by using a non-volatile memory express (NVMe) protocol, wherein the input/output request requests to access a first logical unit of the plurality of logical units;
• and
• wherein the data processing unit comprises circuitry configured to select, from the plurality of controllers, a controller for processing the input/output request, to implement load balancing between the plurality of controllers, and to send, using the initiator of the data processing unit, the input/output request to the determined controller by using an NVMe over Fabrics (NVMe oF) protocol.

A data processing unit, comprising:

• an interface, configured to communicate with a host, wherein the data processing unit is external to the host;
• and
• at least one integrated circuit, configured to:
• receive an input/output request sent by the host by using a non-volatile memory express (NVMe) protocol, wherein the data processing unit is connected to the host through a peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) interface, the input/output request requests to access a first logical unit in a storage device, and the storage device comprises a plurality of logical units and a plurality of controllers;
• and
• select, from the plurality of controllers, a controller for processing the input/output request, to implement load balancing between the plurality of controllers, and send, using an initiator of the data processing unit, the input/output request to the determined controller by using an NVMe over Fabrics (NVMe oF) protocol.