Write-back Cache Redundancy via Remote Copying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cache memory systems, especially write-back cache systems, face data loss and performance degradation due to failure, as existing configurations do not adequately ensure data integrity and redundancy.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a redundant data copying option to a remote device, which can be a mirroring or replication appliance, to maintain current and historical data copies, ensuring data preservation and quick recovery in case of cache system failure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a write-back cache system is used to improve system performance, then productivity is improved, but data loss risk increases due to potential cache failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem performanceVSAvoiddata integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a copy of data from the cache system and stores it on a remote device. This copying mechanism allows the original cache to operate at high speed while a redundant copy exists for recovery purposes, thus maintaining both productivity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The remote device acts as an intermediary backup storage system that receives data copies from the cache system through network communication. This intermediary provides an additional layer of data protection without interfering with the primary cache operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If data is stored in cache memory for quick access, then speed is improved, but data loss occurs permanently upon cache failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata access speedVSAvoiddata loss

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by proactively copying data from the cache to a remote device before any failure occurs. This advance preparation ensures that recovery can immediately proceed without data loss, maintaining both speed and information integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The remote backup device provides a cushioning protection mechanism against cache failures. By having data预先 stored remotely, the system creates a safety buffer that prevents permanent data loss while allowing the cache to operate at full speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If redundant data copies are maintained remotely, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata preservationVSAvoidsystem configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the backup function from the primary cache system and places it on a separate remote device. This separation simplifies the primary system while maintaining reliability, as the complex backup management is handled independently on the remote device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS9116811B1System and method for cache management

Publication Date: 2015.08.25 EMC IP HLDG CO LLC

AI summary

A method, computer program product, and computing system for providing an option to a user of a cache system to have a copy of at least one IO operation directed toward the cache system redundantly provided to a remote device. If the user selects to have the copy of at least one IO operation redundantly provided, the copy of the at least one IO operation directed toward the cache system is provided to the remote device.