Adaptive Discard Processing Area Sizing for Storage Performance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current information processing apparatuses with nonvolatile semiconductor storage devices face performance deterioration due to limited rewriting times, which is exacerbated by inefficient discard command processing, leading to increased processing times and potential slowdowns in operation speed.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a controller that dynamically sets the size of processing areas for discard operations based on the type of application request, allowing for adaptive discard processing that optimizes performance during startup, shutdown, and normal operation by varying the discard size accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If discard commands are notified for the entire area frequently, then the storage device can maintain performance by preventing wear leveling on unnecessary areas, but the number of command notifications and processing times increase, leading to longer completion times for discard requests
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by notifying discard commands only for specific areas (e.g., partition areas) rather than the entire storage device area. This selective approach maintains performance benefits by preventing wear leveling on unnecessary areas while reducing the total number of commands and processing time compared to notifying the entire area.
2Reliability
If the successive trim function is enabled to issue trim commands on every writing, then automatic performance maintenance is achieved, but the entire operation speed slows down
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by issuing discard commands at specific intervals or triggers (such as during format processing, inspection/repair processing, or swap area validation processing) rather than on every writing operation. This periodic approach maintains performance benefits while avoiding the continuous overhead that slows down operation speed.
3Measurement precision
If the processing area size for discard commands is small, then precision in targeting unused areas is improved, but the number of discard command notifications increases, increasing host controller analysis time and block processing unit waiting time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the storage area into logical units (partitions) and issuing discard commands for specific partition areas rather than small scattered regions. This segmentation approach maintains precision in targeting unused areas while improving productivity by reducing the total number of commands through batch processing of partition-level discard requests.
Data Source
AI summary
A first size set in a case where a first request including at least discard processing is received from a first application is wider than a second size set in a case where a second request including at least the discard processing is received from a second application different from the first application.