Data Rebalance Control System for Storage Capacity Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data rebalance systems struggle to maintain equalization of physical capacities in storage devices, especially when data is compressed, leading to potential capacity shortages due to the difference between logical and physical capacity recognition by applications.
Innovation Solution
A data rebalance control system determines instructions based on capacity information from multiple storage devices with compression functions, ensuring data redistribution to equalize physical capacities, thereby preventing physical residual capacity shortages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If data is rebalanced to equalize logical capacities recognized by the application, then the logical capacity distribution is optimized, but the physical capacities are not equalized leading to potential capacity shortages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a capacity management intermediary layer that sits between the application and the storage devices. This intermediary translates application requests based on logical capacity while simultaneously managing physical capacity constraints, preventing capacity shortages by coordinating both logical and physical capacity distributions
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where capacity information from multiple storage devices is continuously monitored and used to adjust rebalancing decisions. The feedback loop ensures that rebalancing operations consider both logical capacity requirements and physical capacity status, preventing capacity exhaustion
2Quantity of substance
If compression functions are used in storage devices, then storage efficiency is improved, but the difference between logical and physical capacity recognition causes rebalancing difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The capacity management system acts as an intermediary that handles the complexity of compression-based storage. It translates between logical capacity (seen by applications) and physical capacity (actual storage used), managing the compression overhead and ensuring proper rebalancing without requiring applications to understand compression mechanics
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts capacity parameters by considering both logical and physical capacity metrics in rebalancing decisions. It changes the parameters used for rebalancing from purely logical capacity to a combined view that includes physical capacity status, enabling effective management of compressed storage environments
3Productivity
If existing rebalance functions are used, then data distribution is optimized for logical capacity, but physical capacity equalization cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic rebalancing where the rebalancing strategy adapts based on current system state. Instead of static equalization, the system continuously adjusts data distribution to maintain both logical capacity balance and physical capacity equalization, responding to changing storage conditions in real-time
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds another dimension to capacity management by considering both logical capacity (traditional dimension) and physical capacity (new dimension). This two-dimensional approach enables rebalancing operations to optimize for both application performance and physical storage utilization simultaneously
Data Source
AI summary
A data rebalance control system determines instruction contents for an entity having a rebalance function, based on the capacity information including information indicating a plurality of physical capacities corresponding to a plurality of storing devices which include at least one storing device having a compression function, coupled to one and more computers included in a computer system. The rebalance function of the entity is a function of rebalancing data so that the distribution of the plural logical capacities recognized by the entity, corresponding to the plural storing devices, may be a predetermined distribution. The determined instruction contents include a definition about the logical capacity distribution. The data rebalance control system transmits, to the entity, a rebalance instruction as an instruction to rebalance the data according to the above instruction contents.