Delete Notifications for Storage Space Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing file systems do not effectively communicate the freed space to storage devices and intermediate components after deleting files, leading to inefficiencies in storage management.
Innovation Solution
Implementing delete notifications that identify specific ranges of data no longer occupied by files, which are sent through a storage stack to notify components and confirm the release of storage space before reusing it.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the file system deletes a file without communicating the freed space, then the deletion operation is simple and fast, but the storage device and intermediate components cannot track which portions of storage are actually free, leading to storage management inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a storage stack as an intermediary layer between the file system and the storage device. This storage stack includes components that receive delete notifications from the file system, process them, and then communicate with the storage device. The intermediary handles the complexity of tracking freed space across multiple layers, allowing the file system to remain simple while improving overall storage management efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the storage stack sends confirmations back to the file system after processing delete notifications. This feedback loop ensures that the file system can verify which portions of storage have been successfully marked as free, enabling accurate tracking of available storage space while maintaining efficient communication through standardized notifications.
2Measurement precision
If delete notifications are sent through a storage stack to confirm space release, then storage space tracking accuracy is improved, but the deletion process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the storage stack pre-process delete notifications and prepare the storage device for space reclamation before actual data is needed. The storage stack anticipates which portions of storage will be freed and prepares them in advance, allowing for accurate tracking without adding significant delay to the deletion operation itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the storage device into manageable portions or ranges that can be individually tracked and freed. By dividing the storage space into discrete segments, the system can efficiently process delete notifications for specific portions without requiring entire storage devices to be scanned or processed, reducing the time overhead while maintaining precision in tracking freed space.
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with one or more aspects, one or more portions of at least one file that have been freed are determined. One or more delete notifications are generated that identify the one or more portions of the at least one file. Each portion is identified as a range of data on a storage device, and each delete notification includes one or more ranges of data on the storage device. A determination is made as to when to send the generated delete notifications based on one or more threshold-based criteria. These generated delete notifications are then sent to a storage stack.