Excitement System for Dynamic Resource Block Prefetching

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing resource access methods, such as simple read-ahead protocols, are inefficient as they fail to accurately predict which resource blocks to prefetch, leading to wasted resources and degraded performance due to fixed block prefetching independent of disk read speed.

Innovation Solution

The excitement system predicts future resource access by maintaining excitement values for resource blocks and using a threshold to determine which blocks to prefetch, allowing for dynamic and efficient caching based on expected usage patterns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a fixed number of blocks are prefetched using simple read-ahead protocol, then cache space is allocated for prefetching, but resource access efficiency deteriorates because too many blocks are prefetched when read speed is slow, wasting cache space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecache space allocationVSAvoidresource access efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the prefetch block count variable rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts the number of blocks to prefetch based on the actual read speed of the disk. When read speed is high, more blocks are prefetched; when read speed is low, fewer blocks are prefetched. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by optimizing cache space utilization according to real-time performance conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by monitoring the actual read speed of the disk and using this information to adjust the prefetch behavior. The system measures the read speed and feeds this information back to the prefetching mechanism, which then adjusts the number of blocks to prefetch accordingly. This closed-loop control resolves the contradiction by ensuring cache space is allocated efficiently based on actual performance feedback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If a fixed number of blocks are prefetched using simple read-ahead protocol, then prefetching is simplified, but resource access efficiency deteriorates because too few blocks are prefetched when read speed is high, degrading performance and throughput

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprefetching mechanism complexityVSAvoidsystem throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the prefetch block count variable rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts the number of blocks to prefetch based on the actual read speed of the disk. When read speed is high, more blocks are prefetched; when read speed is low, fewer blocks are prefetched. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by optimizing cache space utilization according to real-time performance conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by monitoring the actual read speed of the disk and using this information to adjust the prefetch behavior. The system measures the read speed and feeds this information back to the prefetching mechanism, which then adjusts the number of blocks to prefetch accordingly. This closed-loop control resolves the contradiction by ensuring cache space is allocated efficiently based on actual performance feedback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of manufacture

If simple read-ahead protocol is used with fixed block prefetching, then implementation is straightforward, but resource access efficiency deteriorates due to wasted resources from prefetching blocks that will never be used

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidresource waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the prefetch block count variable rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts the number of blocks to prefetch based on the actual read speed of the disk. When read speed is high, more blocks are prefetched; when read speed is low, fewer blocks are prefetched. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by optimizing cache space utilization according to real-time performance conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by monitoring the actual read speed of the disk and using this information to adjust the prefetch behavior. The system measures the read speed and feeds this information back to the prefetching mechanism, which then adjusts the number of blocks to prefetch accordingly. This closed-loop control resolves the contradiction by ensuring cache space is allocated efficiently based on actual performance feedback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS7386675B2Systems and methods for using excitement values to predict future access to resources

Publication Date: 2008.06.10 EMC IP HLDG CO LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods using an excitement protocol enable prediction of which blocks of a resource to prefetch and store in memory. The system maintains a set of excitement values corresponding to the resource being accessed. The system also maintains a threshold. As blocks of the resource are requested, the system updates the set of excitement values. The system compares the excitement level to the threshold to determine whether to prefetch the corresponding resource block.