Client-Side Data Deduplication via Fingerprinting for Storage Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network-accessible storage systems lack efficient client-side deduplication capabilities, leading to redundant data transmission and storage, as standard communication protocols like NFS and CIFS do not perform client-side deduplication, compression, or encryption, resulting in suboptimal data transfer and storage efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A customized communications protocol interface is implemented at the client device, equipped with a parser and fingerprinter, which breaks data streams into chunks, generates fingerprints, and compares them with the networked storage system to avoid sending duplicate chunks, thereby enabling client-side deduplication and optimizing data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If standard communication protocols (NFS, CIFS) are used for data transfer, then compatibility and ease of operation are improved, but data transfer efficiency and storage efficiency deteriorate due to lack of client-side deduplication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data transfer process into two independent layers: the transport layer uses standard protocols (NFS, CIFS) for compatibility, while the application layer implements custom deduplication logic. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize for its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary deduplication layer between the client application and the network protocol. This intermediary component intercepts data before transmission, performs fingerprint-based deduplication, and only sends unique data blocks, thereby improving efficiency without altering standard protocols.
2Reliability
If all data is transmitted to the networked storage system, then data availability is improved, but bandwidth usage and network traffic increase due to redundant data transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs deduplication actions before data transmission by computing fingerprints of data blocks and comparing them against already-stored blocks. This preliminary action identifies and eliminates redundant data before it consumes network bandwidth, while ensuring all necessary unique data is transmitted for complete data availability.
3Productivity
If client-side deduplication is implemented, then data transfer efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional parser and fingerprinter components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements deduplication functionality locally at the client device through specialized components (parser, fingerprinter, deduplication manager), allowing each client to independently optimize its data transmissions without requiring server-side complexity changes. This local quality approach distributes the computational burden while maintaining overall system efficiency.
4Reliability
If duplicate data chunks are sent to the server, then data completeness is improved, but storage requirements and server resources increase due to redundant data storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the client device to perform self-service deduplication by maintaining local knowledge of transmitted data through fingerprint tracking. The client independently identifies and eliminates redundant data before transmission, serving its own deduplication needs without consuming server storage resources for duplicate blocks.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques and mechanisms described herein facilitate the acceleration of data transfer protocols via client side de-duplication techniques for transmitting data from a client device to a networked storage system while maintaining protocol usage characteristics. while preserving the same presentation semantics to the users. A data chunk may be determined at a client device by parsing a data stream generated at the client device via a network storage protocol. A fingerprint for the data chunk may be identified by applying a hash function to the data chunk. A determination may be made as to whether the chunk is stored at a networked storage system by transmitting the fingerprint to the networked storage system via a network. The client device may transmit a block map update request message including information for updating a block map to the networked storage system.