Dual Media Storage System with Flash and Disk
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional computer systems face inefficiencies in reading and writing data to flash memory systems that use non-traditional file storage formats, as they require traditional logical address space and file system management, which can lead to slower data access and storage capacity issues.
Innovation Solution
A dual media storage system that uses a file-based protocol to transfer data between a host system and a data storage system, comprising a solid-state flash memory device as primary storage and a magnetic disk drive as secondary storage, allowing data to be stored and retrieved using a logical interface, with the ability to segment files across both devices for optimal storage and access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional logical address space and file system management are used to interface with flash memory, then compatibility with conventional systems is maintained, but data access speed decreases and storage capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the traditional file system and logical address space management layers from the flash memory interface. By presenting raw physical blocks directly to the host system without intermediate abstraction layers, the system eliminates the overhead associated with file system management, thereby improving data access speed while reducing storage capacity losses due to metadata and allocation structures.
2Speed
If flash memory is used as primary storage, then data access speed is improved, but storage capacity is reduced compared to magnetic disk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges flash memory and magnetic disk storage into a unified storage system where both media types work together. The host system accesses both storage devices through a single unified interface, allowing the system to leverage the high-speed access of flash memory while simultaneously utilizing the large capacity of magnetic disk storage, thus resolving the contradiction between speed and capacity.
3Ease of operation
If a unified file-based interface is used for both flash memory and magnetic disk, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to optimize for each media type's characteristics is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal file-based interface that can operate with both flash memory and magnetic disk storage devices. This single interface design provides ease of operation by maintaining compatibility with standard file access methods while incorporating intelligence to optimize data placement and access patterns based on the specific characteristics of each media type, thereby achieving both usability and storage efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
System and method for transferring data between a host system and a data storage system is provided. The system includes an interface that uses a file based protocol to transfer data between the data storage system and the host system, wherein the data storage system includes a first mass storage device and a second mass storage device; wherein the first mass storage device is a solid state non-volatile memory device and the second mass storage device is a non-solid state memory device. The first mass storage device is a flash memory device that operates as a primary storage device that stores data on a file by file basis. The second mass storage device is a magnetic disk drive that operates as secondary storage device and stores data received via a logical interface.