Dynamic Storage Entity Layout Reconfiguration

Solution Overview

Problem

Current storage systems are inflexible and inefficient in adapting to changing data requirements, as they are fixed in configuration once set up, leading to suboptimal performance and resiliency levels when handling data with varying needs.

Innovation Solution

A dynamic storage entity that can reconfigure itself in real-time using multiple persistent storage devices, allowing for changes in layout to meet performance and resiliency requirements without altering the underlying constraints of the devices, such as shifting from simple to striped or mirrored storage as data needs evolve.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If storage entities are configured with fixed layouts to meet specific data requirements, then performance and resiliency requirements for specific data can be met, but the system cannot adapt when data requirements change over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata availabilityVSAvoidadaptability to changing data requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The storage entity implements dynamic reconfiguration capability that allows it to change its layout and configuration parameters (such as striping width, mirroring ratios, parity schemes) in real-time based on changing data requirements. This transforms the static storage system into a dynamic one that can adapt its structure to meet evolving performance and resiliency needs without requiring system redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes storage configuration parameters dynamically, including data striping width, mirroring ratios, and parity schemes, to optimize performance and resiliency for different data workloads. By adjusting these parameters in real-time, the storage entity can adapt to changing requirements while maintaining reliable data availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If multiple fixed storage entities are created to handle different data requirements, then each data type can have optimized storage configuration, but device complexity and system overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata availabilityVSAvoidnumber of storage entities

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage entity is designed with multi-functionality, capable of serving multiple different data workloads with varying performance and resiliency requirements through dynamic reconfiguration. A single storage entity can transform its configuration to handle different data types, eliminating the need for multiple specialized storage entities and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The storage entity implements dynamic reconfiguration capability that allows it to change its layout and configuration parameters (such as striping width, mirroring ratios, parity schemes) in real-time based on changing data requirements. This transforms the static storage system into a dynamic one that can adapt its structure to meet evolving performance and resiliency needs without requiring system redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If storage layout is fixed after initial configuration, then system design is simpler, but performance optimization becomes impossible when data access patterns change

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of storage configurationVSAvoiddata access performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage entity implements dynamic reconfiguration capability that allows it to change its layout and configuration parameters (such as striping width, mirroring ratios, parity schemes) in real-time based on changing data requirements. This transforms the static storage system into a dynamic one that can adapt its structure to meet evolving performance and resiliency needs without requiring system redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9891835B2Live configurable storage

Publication Date: 2018.02.13 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A system for storing data in a dynamic fashion. The system includes a storage entity. The storage entity includes portions of a plurality of different persistent storage devices. Each storage device has a set of constraints. The storage entity is configured to store data in a dynamic fashion in a layout on the persistent storage devices of the storage entity that meets the different data requirements for the data while still being within the constraints for the persistent storage devices. The storage entity is configured to change the layout for a portion of the data as requirements related to at least one of performance or resiliency for a portion of the data change while the storage entity continues to provide the data from the storage entity.