Network storage system using flash storage

A system comprising:

• first I/O circuitry;
• a first server configured to provide a root complex;
• first reconfigurable circuitry;
• an array of flash storage devices;
• first cache storage;
• and
• a first hierarchical serial interconnect network that includes the root complex, the first reconfigurable circuitry, a switch circuitry, and a plurality of serial data communication paths;
• wherein the first hierarchical serial interconnect network includes a network interface tier that includes first switch circuitry and a serial communication path that interconnects the first switch circuitry and the first I/O circuitry, which is coupled as an endpoint to the network;
• wherein the first hierarchical serial interconnect network includes a storage tier that includes second switch circuitry and a serial communication path that interconnects the second switch circuitry and a flash storage device of the array of the flash storage devices, which is coupled as an endpoint to the network;
• wherein the first hierarchical serial interconnect network includes a serial communication path that interconnects the first switch circuitry and the first server;
• wherein the first hierarchical serial interconnect network includes a serial communication path that interconnects the first reconfigurable circuitry and the first switch circuitry;
• and
• wherein the first hierarchical serial interconnect network includes a serial communication path that interconnects the first reconfigurable circuitry and the second switch circuitry;
• wherein the first reconfigurable circuitry is coupled to transfer data between the first cache storage and the first switch circuitry and between the first cache storage and the second switch circuitry;
• wherein the first server is configured to designate a first interconnect address space for use during transfer of data over the first hierarchical serial interconnect network between the endpoints, including the I/O circuitry and the flash storage devices;
• and
• wherein the first reconfigurable circuitry is configured to capture data during a transfer of data between the first I/O circuitry and the array of flash storage devices and to save the captured data in the first cache storage.