Embedded-Compression Storage Drive Copying Without Recompression

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Solution Overview

Problem

The process of replacing a large capacity drive in a storage array is time-consuming due to the need for decompressing and recompressing data during copy operations, leading to increased risk of array downtime from concurrent drive failures.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a compressed data transfer interface in storage drives with embedded compression, allowing data to be copied directly in compressed form without decompression or recompression, using the same compression algorithm for source and target drives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If data is decompressed and recompressed during copy operations, then data integrity is maintained, but copy time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrityVSAvoidcopy time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of data format during transfer by enabling a compressed data transfer interface that allows compressed data to be copied directly between drives without decompression and recompression, thereby reducing copy time while maintaining data integrity through interface-level compression handling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the compression/decompression operations from the data transfer path by implementing a compressed data transfer interface that handles compression at the interface level rather than requiring full decompression and recompression during copy operations, thus eliminating unnecessary processing steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If decompression and recompression are performed during copy operations, then data can be transferred between drives with different compression algorithms, but resource overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility between different compression algorithmsVSAvoidresource overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of data format handling by introducing a compressed data transfer interface that maintains data in compressed form during transfer, allowing the system to adapt to different compression algorithms at the interface level without performing actual decompression and recompression operations, thereby reducing resource overhead

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a compressed data transfer interface as an intermediary layer between source and target drives, which handles the adaptation between different compression algorithms without requiring full decompression and recompression, thus reducing computational resource overhead while maintaining compatibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of stationary object

If a large capacity drive is replaced in a storage array, then storage capacity is increased, but the array has reduced redundancy during the copy back process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidarray redundancy

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of data transfer speed by implementing compressed data transfer that bypasses decompression and recompression steps, significantly accelerating the copy back process and reducing the time period during which the array operates with reduced redundancy, thereby mitigating the reliability concern

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12443360B1Copying of data in a storage system between storage drives that have embedded compression

Publication Date: 2025.10.14 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A method, computer program product, and computer system for copying of data in a storage system between storage drives that have embedded compression. The method includes determining that a copy operation of data is required from a source drive to a target drive and determining that the source drive and the target drive use the same compression algorithm. The method includes: reading the data in a compressed form from the source drive including bypassing a decompression algorithm; transmitting the compressed data from the source drive to the target drive; and receiving and writing the compressed data at the target drive including bypassing a compression algorithm at the target drive.