Cold Storage Matrix Data Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cold storage systems face challenges in efficiently increasing data protection levels while minimizing the number of additional storage devices, which leads to higher costs and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A cold storage system is configured as a 2D matrix of data storage devices and parity storage devices, where data blocks are written sequentially to a single selected data storage device, and corresponding row and column protection blocks are generated and stored on parity storage devices, reducing the need to activate multiple devices during read and write operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cold storage systems use more storage devices to increase data protection level, then data reliability improves, but system cost and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional single-dimension RAID protection to a two-dimensional matrix architecture where storage devices are arranged in rows and columns. Each data block has both row parity and column parity protection, creating redundant protection paths without linearly increasing the number of parity devices. This dimensional transformation allows the system to achieve higher data protection levels while minimizing the increase in storage device count and associated power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the protection mechanism into independent row parity and column parity components. Each data block is protected by separate row protection blocks and column protection blocks stored on different parity storage devices. This segmentation allows the system to provide comprehensive data protection while activating only the specific row and column devices needed for each operation, rather than requiring all devices to remain active, thereby reducing overall power consumption.
2Reliability
If more storage devices are added to enhance data protection, then protection ratio improves, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By organizing storage devices in a 2D matrix with row and column dimensions, the patent achieves enhanced protection ratios without proportionally increasing the total number of devices. The dual-dimension parity structure allows each parity device to serve multiple protection functions simultaneously, maximizing the utilization of each storage device and reducing the overall device count required for a given protection level.
Solution Approach 2:
In the 2D matrix architecture, each parity storage device serves multiple functions: row parity devices protect entire rows of data blocks, while column parity devices protect entire columns. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve high protection ratios where a single parity device contributes to the protection of multiple data blocks across different rows and columns, thereby reducing the total number of devices needed compared to traditional single-dimension approaches.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If sequential writing to single device is used to reduce device activation, then power consumption decreases, but data access time may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The 2D matrix structure enables the system to optimize the balance between power consumption and access time by selectively activating only the specific row and column devices needed for a given read or write operation. When accessing a data block, the system activates only the intersecting row and column devices rather than all devices, and for sequential writes, only the target device is activated. This dimensional organization allows efficient resource utilization that maintains acceptable access times while significantly reducing power consumption compared to activating all devices.
Data Source
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AI summary
A cold storage system includes data storage devices configured to store data blocks and parity storage devices configured to store protection blocks. The data storage devices and the parity storage devices form a multiple dimensional matrix having multiple rows and multiple columns. A controller receives a data write request to write a plurality of data blocks to the system. The controller selects a data storage device for storing the plurality of data blocks, and writes the data blocks sequentially into memory blocks of the selected data storage device, each data block belonging to a row stripe distributed over one row of the matrix and to a column stripe distributed over one column of the matrix. After the controller generates a row protection block for the row stripe and a column protection block for the column stripe, the controller writes the row protection block to a parity storage device in the row, and the column protection block to a parity storage device in the column. It operates the cold storage system by increasing protection ratio with less parity storage devices.