Consolidating Distributed Storage Free Space
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data processing systems within networks are over-provisioned with storage capacity, leading to inefficiencies and the need for separate backup systems, as individual storage units are not effectively utilized for consolidating free space across multiple systems.
Innovation Solution
A storage system and method that consolidates free space from multiple remote storage units into a single file system, allowing data to be stored and backed up within this consolidated space, using protocols like iSCSI and file system slicers to manage and distribute data slices across multiple locations for redundancy and security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If storage capacity is increased for each data processing system, then storage availability is improved, but storage efficiency deteriorates due to over-provisioning and fragmented free space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines free space from multiple distributed storage units into a single consolidated file system. The system presents multiple remote storage units as one unified storage resource, allowing free space to be aggregated and allocated efficiently across the network, thereby improving storage efficiency while maintaining adequate capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The consolidated file system serves multiple functions: it provides storage capacity for primary data, handles backup operations, and enables efficient space allocation across different data processing systems. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate backup systems and improves overall storage utilization.
2Reliability
If separate backup systems are implemented, then data security is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The consolidated file system performs both primary storage and backup functions through a single system. The same file system infrastructure that provides日常 storage also handles backup operations, eliminating the need for separate backup hardware and software, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining data security.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically manages backup operations within the consolidated file system without requiring separate backup infrastructure. The file system itself provides the backup capability through its distributed architecture and space management mechanisms, making the system self-sufficient for both storage and backup needs.
3Quantity of substance
If free space is distributed across multiple storage units, then storage capacity is improved, but space utilization deteriorates due to fragmentation
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges free space from multiple distributed storage units into a unified pool that can be allocated as a single continuous space. This consolidation allows large files to be stored efficiently without being fragmented across multiple physical locations, improving space utilization while maintaining the benefits of distributed storage capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage system comprising apparatus for consolidating portions of free space from a plurality of remote storage units; and apparatus for presenting the consolidated portions as a single file system.