Automated Hole Punching for Database Storage Reclamation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In database systems, especially in cloud environments with multi-tenant models, deleted data extents are not efficiently reused, leading to fragmentation and wastage of storage space, as the system continues to allocate these extents even after data deletion, making manual reorganization by DBAs necessary to free up space, which is inefficient and costly for large systems.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an automated 'hole punching' mechanism that separates the logical allocation of space from physical storage, allowing previously allocated but now empty extents to be reused by other database objects, thereby overprovisioning storage efficiently without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If manual reorganization is performed to free up storage space, then storage space can be reclaimed, but the operation becomes inefficient and costly for large database systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic space reclamation without requiring manual DBA intervention. The database management system monitors and reorganizes storage space autonomously, detecting deleted extents and reallocating them automatically, thereby eliminating the need for manual reorganization operations while improving reclamation efficiency in large-scale systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (DBA manually moving or shrinking database objects) with an automated system that uses software-based detection and allocation mechanisms. The system substitutes human-operated procedures with automated algorithms that monitor database extents and perform reallocation without physical manual intervention
2Reliability
If deleted extents remain allocated to tablespace, then logical consistency is maintained, but storage space cannot be reused by other database objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage allocation management into two independent components: logical tablespace allocation and physical extent assignment. By separating these functions, the system can deallocate physical extents for reuse while maintaining logical tablespace integrity, allowing other database objects to utilize freed storage space without compromising logical consistency
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary allocation layer between the tablespace and physical storage. This intermediary mechanism tracks which extents are logically allocated to tablespaces while allowing physical reallocation of unused extents, serving as a mediator that reconciles logical consistency requirements with physical storage efficiency
3Productivity
If automated hole punching is implemented, then storage reclamation becomes efficient and space can be reused, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal allocation mechanism that serves multiple functions: it tracks deleted extents, enables automatic reallocation, maintains logical consistency, and supports both online and offline operations. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate complex subsystems, achieving automated reclamation while managing system complexity through functional integration
Data Source
AI summary
An approach is described to provide a method, a computer program product, and a computer system to implement hole punching. The described approach provides an automated way to free up space without requiring manual intervention by a DBA to manually reorganize database objects to free up space.