Data Caching System with Erasure Code Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current data caching systems are vulnerable to data loss due to device failures, as cached data in internal memory devices is often unprotected, leading to permanent loss if not adequately secured.

Innovation Solution

A data caching system comprising N data storage devices and M erasure code devices, where a data stripe spans multiple devices, with erasure code data generated to ensure data durability, and a software module configures writing data chunks across these devices for high availability and redundancy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If data is cached in internal memory devices of separate computing devices, then data access speed is improved, but data reliability deteriorates due to lack of protection against device failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata access speedVSAvoiddata reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments data into multiple data chunks and distributes them across N data storage devices and M erasure code devices. This segmentation allows fast local access while distributing risk across multiple devices, resolving the contradiction between speed and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies erasure coding to create redundant data representations before data is written to storage devices. This beforehand cushioning ensures that even if some devices fail, the original data can be recovered, thus improving reliability without sacrificing access speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If erasure code devices are added to the data storage system, then data durability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata durabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates simplified copies of data through erasure coding, where M erasure code devices store redundant information that can reconstruct the original data. This copying approach improves durability while keeping the complexity manageable through standardized encoding procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If data is distributed across multiple storage devices, then data protection is improved, but write operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata protectionVSAvoidwrite operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-defining data stripes that span across N data storage devices and M erasure code devices before data is written. This preliminary configuration simplifies the write operation, as the system only needs to follow the pre-established stripe structure rather than dynamically determining data distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8898387B1Data caching system and method
Publication Date: 2014.11.25 EMC IP HLDG CO LLC
  • US8898387B1 patent drawing
  • US8898387B1 patent drawing
  • US8898387B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A system, computer program product, and computer-implemented method for defining a data stripe that spans one or more of N data storage devices and one or more of M erasure code devices. The one or more N data storage devices and the one or more M erasure code devices are included within a data storage system. A data chunk to be written to the data storage system is received. At least a portion of the data chunk is written to the portion of the data stripe that spans the one or more N data storage devices. Each of the N data storage devices and the M erasure code devices is included within a unique server computer.