Block Deduplication for File System Data Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current data distribution systems face challenges in efficiently synchronizing and managing file system elements across multiple nodes, particularly in ensuring data consistency and reducing redundant data transfers, especially in networks with limited resources and diverse user permissions.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a data distribution mechanism that uses a collection schema to manage file system elements, including meta data and content, across nodes, utilizing encrypted tunnels and logical channels for event and data communication, and implements block deduplication techniques to reduce redundant data transfers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is synchronized across multiple nodes using traditional data distribution mechanisms, then data consistency is maintained, but redundant data transfers increase bandwidth consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data into blocks and uses block deduplication techniques to identify and eliminate redundant data transfers. By dividing the data synchronization process into block-level operations rather than file-level operations, the system can efficiently detect and skip duplicate blocks, reducing bandwidth consumption while maintaining data consistency across nodes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of data representation by using hash values and block identifiers instead of transferring actual data content. By comparing hash values of data blocks across nodes, the system can determine redundancy without transferring data, thereby maintaining consistency while minimizing bandwidth usage
2Reliability
If all file system elements are synchronized across nodes, then data consistency is ensured, but storage efficiency decreases due to redundant data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple copies of identical data blocks into a single stored instance across the distributed network. By implementing deduplication at the block level, the system consolidates redundant data while maintaining the ability to reconstruct complete files at any node, thereby improving storage efficiency without compromising data consistency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses intelligent copying by creating references or pointers to deduplicated blocks rather than physical copies. Each node maintains a mapping structure that points to the actual data block location, allowing multiple nodes to access the same data block without duplicating the actual data, thus improving storage efficiency while ensuring data consistency
3Adaptability or versatility
If data is distributed across diverse network conditions, then system adaptability is improved, but data transfer reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-computing and storing hash values of data blocks before actual data transfer. This allows the system to quickly identify redundant blocks and avoid unnecessary transfers, especially important in diverse network conditions where transfer reliability may be compromised. The preliminary hashing operation ensures that even if transfers are skipped or interrupted, data consistency is maintained
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces hash values and block identifiers as intermediary elements between the data source and destination nodes. These intermediaries enable efficient redundancy detection and facilitate reliable data distribution across diverse network conditions by providing a verification mechanism that doesn't require complete data transfer
Data Source
AI summary
In connection with a data distribution architecture, client-side “deduplication” techniques may be utilized for data transfers occurring among various file system nodes. In some examples, these deduplication techniques involve fingerprinting file system elements that are being shared and transferred, and dividing each file into separate units referred to as “blocks” or “chunks.” These separate units may be used for independently rebuilding a file from local and remote collections, storage locations, or sources. The deduplication techniques may be applied to data transfers to prevent unnecessary data transfers, and to reduce the amount of bandwidth, processing power, and memory used to synchronize and transfer data among the file system nodes. The described deduplication concepts may also be applied for purposes of efficient file replication, data transfers, and file system events occurring within and among networks and file system nodes.