Cloud Storage Tiering API for Block to Object Data Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional storage tiering systems face processing overhead costs when storing infrequently accessed data, as they are not optimized for managing 'frigid' or least frequently accessed data effectively.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a native mapping application programming interface (API) that converts block-based data to object-based data, allowing for seamless movement of 'frigid' data to a cloud tier, utilizing cloud infrastructure to create a new virtual drive type that archives and retrieves data efficiently, thereby reducing processing overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional storage tiering systems store infrequently accessed data, then storage capacity is utilized, but processing overhead costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts infrequently accessed data from the conventional storage tiering system and places it in a cloud storage tier. This separation removes the processing overhead burden from the conventional system while maintaining storage capacity utilization, as the cloud tier handles the archival of cold data independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a data movement engine as an intermediary component that manages data transfer between conventional storage tiers and cloud storage. This intermediary handles the conversion and movement of data, isolating the processing overhead to specific operations rather than continuous system-wide overhead.
2Productivity
If data is moved between storage tiers based on access frequency, then storage performance is optimized, but processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual representation of storage capacity in the cloud tier that mirrors the conventional storage tiers. This virtual copy allows the system to maintain performance optimization for frequently accessed data while archiving cold data to the cloud, reducing the processing overhead associated with managing all data in the conventional system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the storage system into multiple independent tiers: conventional storage tiers for active data and a cloud storage tier for cold data. Each tier can be managed independently with appropriate performance characteristics, allowing optimization of storage performance for hot data while minimizing processing overhead for cold data management.
3Quantity of substance
If cloud infrastructure is used to store object-based data, then storage capacity is expanded, but data conversion complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal data movement engine that handles multiple functions: data conversion between block-based and object-based formats, data movement between tiers, and virtual capacity management. This multi-functional approach consolidates complexity into a single component rather than requiring separate systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual or complex mechanical data conversion processes with an automated software-based data movement engine. This engine automatically converts data between formats and moves it between storage tiers based on access frequency, reducing the complexity of manual data management and conversion operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage tiering system comprises a set of storage tiers, each of the storage tiers comprising a respective set of storage drives configured to store data based on an access frequency associated with the data. The set of storage tiers comprises one or more storage tiers forming at least one storage array configured to store block-based data in association with the respective sets of storage drives of the one or more storage tiers. The set of storage tiers further comprises a storage tier utilizing a cloud infrastructure configured to store object-based data in association with the set of storage drives of the storage tier. An application programming interface is configured to convert block-based data and object-based data for moving data between the one or more storage tiers associated with the storage array and the storage tier associated with the cloud infrastructure.