Data Storage System Fast Saving During Power Interruption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data storage systems face challenges in efficiently saving data during power interruptions, particularly when backup power sources are unreliable, as they need to quickly transfer critical data to non-volatile memory to maintain integrity.
Innovation Solution
The system skips updating and saving system data while operating on backup power, focusing on quickly flushing cached host data and metadata to non-volatile memory, using a Super Block Journal to rebuild logical-to-physical mapping upon restart, and utilizing a backup power source to minimize data loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the system saves both host data and system data during power interruption, then data integrity is maintained, but the time required to save data increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data saving process into two distinct phases: a fast saving phase during power interruption that saves only host data and critical metadata, and a complete saving phase during normal operation that saves both host data and system data. This segmentation allows the system to maintain data integrity while reducing the time required to save data during critical power interruption events.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by maintaining a journal of host data write operations and tracking logical-to-physical mappings in volatile memory before power interruption occurs. During power loss, the system uses this pre-maintained information to quickly save only the essential host data without needing to re-process or re-save system data, thereby reducing save time while maintaining integrity.
2Reliability
If the system updates and saves system data during backup power operation, then complete data integrity is maintained, but the backup power duration is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by saving only the essential host data and critical metadata during backup power operation, rather than attempting to save all system data. This selective saving approach maintains sufficient data integrity for system functionality while significantly reducing the time required, allowing the system to complete data saving within the limited backup power duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the critical saving operations from the complete data saving process. By identifying and saving only the essential host data and mapping information during power interruption, the system separates the critical save operations from the complete system data saving, enabling data integrity maintenance within the constrained backup power timeframe.
3Loss of time
If the system quickly flushes only host data during power loss, then data saving time is reduced, but system data consistency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through journaling of host data write operations and maintaining mapping tables that track the state of data in volatile memory. This feedback information allows the system to quickly identify and save only the host data that actually needs to be persisted, maintaining data consistency while reducing save time during power interruption events.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of systems and methods that ensure integrity of data during unexpected power interruption of loss are disclosed. In some embodiments, critical data is saved quickly and efficiently using backup power. Data integrity is ensured even when the reliability of backup power sources is an issue. In some embodiments, by skipping the updating and saving of system data while operating on backup power, significant reduction of time for saving critical data can be achieved. System data can be restored next time the data storage system is restarted. Improvements of data storage system reliability are thereby attained.