Co-operative Locking for Independent Data Space Owners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing continuous data protection systems face challenges in efficiently managing storage reclamation of previous version data that falls outside the protection window but is still required by multiple independent owners, leading to inefficient reuse of storage locations.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a metadata record map to track previous version data required beyond the protection window, locking storage locations without traditional locking mechanisms, and reclaims storage only when data is no longer needed, ensuring that required data is retained across multiple restore points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If storage locations are reclaimed and reused efficiently, then storage space utilization is improved, but data integrity and accessibility for multiple independent owners deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by tracking previous version data requirements before storage reclamation occurs. A metadata record map is maintained to record which storage locations contain data required by multiple independent owners, allowing the system to prevent reclamation of these locations in advance rather than reacting after data loss occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The metadata record map serves as an intermediary mechanism between the storage management system and the data requirements. This intermediary structure tracks and mediates the relationship between storage locations and multiple independent owners, enabling the system to make informed decisions about storage reclamation while preserving data integrity
2Reliability
If traditional locking mechanisms are used to protect data, then data accessibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential locking function from complex traditional locking mechanisms. Instead of using full locking systems with multiple components, the patent takes out only the critical function of preventing reclamation and implements it through a simplified metadata record map that tracks required data locations
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a simplified copy of the locking mechanism in the form of a metadata record map. Rather than implementing complex locking hardware or software, the patent uses a data structure that copies and tracks the essential information needed to prevent reclamation, achieving the same protective function with much simpler means
3Reliability
If previous version data outside the protection window is retained, then data accessibility for restore operations is improved, but storage space efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by differentiating between storage locations based on their specific characteristics. Not all storage locations are treated equally - the metadata record map identifies and protects only those specific locations containing data required by multiple independent owners, while allowing reclamation of other locations that can be safely reused
Data Source
AI summary
Locking allocated data space is disclosed. An indication is received that certain previous version data is required to be retained. A map of metadata records, each associated with a journaling process write of previous version data which write includes previous version data required to be retained, is built. In some embodiments, the map associates a write time with each record in the map. A reclamation process checks to determine whether any storage proposed to be reclaimed is included in the map of record identifiers. In some embodiments, the determination is made based at least in part on the write time associated in the map with at least a first record identifier in time-sorted order.