Erase Block Allocation for Data Rebuilding Across Mismatched Sizes
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge arises when replacing a failed drive with a different erase block size, leading to issues with data continuity and wastage of physical memory space due to mismatched block sizes in flash storage systems.
Innovation Solution
A method for rebuilding data by determining and allocating replacement erase blocks with differing sizes, and mapping logical addresses to these blocks to ensure seamless data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If replacement erase blocks with different sizes are allocated, then storage system adaptability is improved, but data continuity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data from the failed erase block into multiple portions and distributes these segments across multiple replacement erase blocks of different sizes. This segmentation allows the data to be reconstructed even when replacement blocks have varying capacities, maintaining data continuity while adapting to different block sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where data segments are organized hierarchically across multiple replacement erase blocks. The first replacement block contains a portion of the data, and subsequent replacement blocks contain additional segments, creating a nested distribution pattern that preserves data integrity across size-mismatched blocks.
2Productivity
If replacement erase blocks with larger capacity are allocated, then storage efficiency is improved, but physical memory space wastage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allocating different portions of data to different replacement erase blocks based on their specific capacity characteristics. Instead of uniformly utilizing all replacement blocks, the system selectively distributes data segments to match the local capacity quality of each block, thereby minimizing wastage while maintaining overall storage efficiency.
3Reliability
If multiple replacement erase blocks are allocated, then data redundancy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing the mapping relationships and data distribution patterns across multiple replacement erase blocks before actual data reconstruction is needed. This preliminary organization simplifies the subsequent data rebuilding process and reduces the operational complexity of managing multiple replacement blocks.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for rebuilding data when changing erase block sizes in a storage system is provided. The method includes determining one or more erase blocks to be rebuilt and allocating one or more replacement erase blocks, wherein the one or more erase blocks and the one or more replacement erase blocks have differing erase block sizes. The method includes mapping logical addresses, for the one or more erase blocks, to the one or more replacement erase blocks and rebuilding the one or more erase blocks into the one or more replacement erase blocks, in accordance with the mapping.