Command Line Utility for User-Controlled Data Fragmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods fail to effectively create and manage user-controlled data fragmentation on storage media, leading to performance degradation in input/output operations and complicating backup/restore processes, especially in systems with frequent data manipulation.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for intentionally creating user-controlled fragmentation of data on storage media by receiving user-specified parameters, generating random numbers to determine data amounts, and writing data in portions to create fragmented files, allowing for customizable fragmentation levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If data is frequently manipulated in enterprise systems, then data accessibility and system functionality are improved, but data fragmentation increases leading to performance degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata manipulation capabilityVSAvoidI/O operation performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary defragmentation operations proactively before performance degradation becomes critical. The defragmentation utility continuously monitors storage media and automatically reorganizes data clusters to maintain optimal performance, preventing the harmful effects of fragmentation rather than merely reacting to them.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The defragmentation system operates autonomously by continuously monitoring storage media fragmentation levels and automatically initiating defragmentation operations when needed. The utility manages its own execution, monitoring, and control without requiring manual intervention, allowing the system to self-correct performance issues caused by data manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If de-fragmentation tools are used frequently, then data fragmentation is reduced, but some amount of fragmentation always remains in enterprise systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata organization qualityVSAvoidresidual fragmentation level

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The defragmentation utility incorporates continuous monitoring of storage media to detect fragmentation levels. This feedback mechanism allows the system to assess the current state of data organization, determine when defragmentation is needed, and verify the effectiveness of defragmentation operations, ensuring fragmentation is kept at acceptable levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous defragmentation operations rather than periodic or one-time actions. By continuously monitoring storage media and performing defragmentation as needed, the system ensures data remains optimally organized throughout ongoing enterprise operations, preventing fragmentation from accumulating between defragmentation cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If data is written in contiguous clusters in new systems, then I/O performance is optimized, but creating test environments with high level of data fragmentation becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveI/O operation speedVSAvoidtest environment setup difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of allowing natural fragmentation to occur through extensive data manipulation (which would be time-consuming and complex), the utility inverts the approach by directly creating fragmented test data through controlled operations. The system can generate predetermined fragmentation scenarios efficiently, making test environment setup easier while maintaining the ability to evaluate performance on fragmented data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Reliability

If backup/restore solutions operate on fragmented data, then data protection is maintained, but performance of backup operations is adversely affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata protection capabilityVSAvoidbackup operation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary defragmentation of backup storage media before backup operations commence. By proactively organizing data on the destination storage medium, the system ensures that subsequent backup operations can proceed efficiently without suffering from performance degradation due to fragmentation, thus reducing backup time while maintaining data protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20220066991A1Command line utility to generate user-controlled fragmentated test data on a hard disk drive

Publication Date: 2022.03.03 MICRO FOCUS LLC

AI summary

Embodiments of the disclosure provide systems and methods for intentionally creating fragmentation of data in one or more storage media based on user-specified parameters. According to one embodiment, a method for creating user-controlled fragmentation of data stored in one or more storage media can comprise receiving a plurality of parameters defining the user-controlled fragmentation of the data stored in the one or more storage media, determining a first random number, and creating a first file on the one or more storage media. The first file can be initially empty. An amount of data for the first file can be determined based on the first random number and data can be written to the first file on the one or more storage media up to the determined amount of data for the first file.