Clone Split Deduplication Retention via Pointer Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional storage system techniques fail to preserve deduplication in data blocks after a clone split operation, resulting in loss of storage savings benefits.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that retain deduplication in the resulting storage object by ensuring that during a clone split, shared data blocks are copied and stored separately, and pointer data blocks are managed to point to a single instance of underlying data, maintaining the deduplication benefits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a clone split operation is performed on a storage object, then the clone becomes independent of the base storage object, but deduplication is lost in the resulting storage object
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage object into pointer data blocks and underlying data blocks. During clone split, only the pointer data blocks are copied to create independence, while the underlying data blocks remain shared through deduplication. This segmentation allows the clone to be independent in terms of metadata management while maintaining deduplication benefits for the actual data storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses selective copying where pointer data blocks are copied to establish clone independence, but underlying data blocks are not copied - instead, they continue to reference the same deduplicated data. This copying approach achieves the necessary independence for the clone while preserving deduplication for the data portion.
2Reliability
If deduplication is lost after clone split, then clone independence is achieved, but storage space efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The storage object is segmented into pointer data blocks (metadata) and underlying data blocks (actual data). The clone split operation only copies the pointer data blocks to achieve independence, while the underlying data blocks continue to be shared through deduplication mechanisms, thus maintaining storage space efficiency without compromising clone independence.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of copying all data blocks during clone split (which would achieve complete independence but waste storage space), the patent applies partial action by only copying the necessary pointer data blocks. This partial copying achieves sufficient independence for clone operations while preserving deduplication benefits for the majority of the data.
Data Source
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AI summary
System and method for retaining deduplication of data blocks of a resulting storage object (e.g., a flexible volume) from a split operation of a clone of a base storage object. The clone may comprise data blocks that are shared with at least one data block of the base storage object and at least one data block that is not shared with at least one data block of the base storage object. The data blocks of the clone that are shared with the base storage object may be indicated to receive a write allocation that may comprise assigning a new pointer to a indicated data block. Each data block may comprise a plurality of pointers comprising a virtual address pointer and a physical address pointer. As such, data blocks of the clone comprising the same virtual address pointer may be assigned a single physical address pointer.