Data Storage Power-Off Recovery via Snapshot and Recording Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data storage systems face challenges in recovering dynamic information, such as logical-to-physical address mappings, from volatile RAM after an unexpected power-off, as this information is lost due to the RAM's reliance on power for storage.
Innovation Solution
A data storage system comprising a non-volatile memory, a snapshot module, a recording module, and a power-off recovery module, which captures initial addresses and link information during normal operation and uses this data to restore dynamic information in the RAM during power-off recovery, ensuring continuity without relying on entire NAND flash searches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire NAND flash is searched to recover logical-to-physical address mapping after power-off, then complete data recovery is achieved, but recovery time and system complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the recovery process by dividing the NAND flash into multiple blocks and using block allocation information to identify only the relevant blocks that contain active logical-to-physical address mappings. This avoids searching the entire NAND flash and reduces recovery time while maintaining completeness of data recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by maintaining block allocation information in the NAND flash that identifies which blocks are currently in use. This pre-prepared information allows the recovery process to directly access only the necessary blocks without performing a comprehensive search, thereby reducing recovery time while ensuring complete recovery of active mappings.
2Reliability
If conventional power-off recovery methods are used, then data recovery is attempted, but the process is complex and time-consuming due to full NAND flash searches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential information needed for recovery (block allocation information and link information) from the NAND flash and uses it to guide the recovery process. By taking out only the critical blocks identified through block allocation information, the system avoids the complexity of searching and processing the entire NAND flash while maintaining recovery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces block allocation information as an intermediary that mediates between the recovery process and the NAND flash data. This intermediary structure provides a simplified interface that directs the recovery process to only the necessary blocks, reducing complexity while ensuring complete recovery of active logical-to-physical address mappings.
3Speed
If RAM is used to store logical-to-physical address mapping table, then fast access is achieved, but data loss occurs during unexpected power-off events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-storing block allocation information and link information in the non-volatile NAND flash before power-off events occur. This allows the system to quickly recover the logical-to-physical address mapping table after power restoration without requiring complete searches, thereby maintaining both fast access speed and data persistence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the essential address mapping information in the NAND flash through block allocation information and link information. This copy serves as a backup that can be quickly restored to RAM after power-off events, maintaining both the speed advantage of RAM access and the reliability of non-volatile storage.
Data Source
AI summary
A data storage system and method are disclosed. The data storage system includes a first and a second memory and a memory control unit. The first memory is non-volatile, and the second memory is designed to store dynamic information of the first memory. The memory control unit includes a snapshot module, a recording module and a power-off recovery module, and is operative to handle the data loss of the second memory when an unexpected power-off occurs. When the power of the system is recovered, an initial address stored in the first memory by the snapshot module and link information and updating information recorded in the first memory by the recording module are obtained by the power-off recovery module to recovery the second memory.