External Expansion Cartridge for Client Data Chunk Deduplication
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Solution Overview
Problem
In networked environments, the creation and transmission of data chunks for electronic data files often result in duplicate and redundant storage, leading to inefficient use of storage space, as multiple identical chunks are generated and stored across client devices, despite the preference for chunk-based transfer over whole file transfer due to size limitations and potential transfer failures.
Innovation Solution
An external expansion cartridge for client devices equipped with a file management, chunk management, and storage component, which generates a Unique Identification String, divides files into chunks, and compares metadata to deduplicate and store only unique chunks, optimizing storage by discarding duplicates and maintaining data integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data chunks are created and stored for each transfer request, then data transfer reliability is improved, but storage space is wasted due to duplicate chunks
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary deduplication by creating a fingerprint of each data chunk and checking against existing chunks before storing. This preliminary action prevents duplicate storage while ensuring data integrity for future transfers.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of storing actual duplicate data chunks, the system creates and stores only unique chunks while maintaining references or fingerprints for duplicates. This copying approach preserves data transfer reliability while eliminating storage waste.
2Ease of operation
If whole files are transferred instead of chunks, then transfer process is simpler, but transfer fails when file size exceeds device capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments large files into smaller manageable chunks that fit within device capacity limits. Each chunk can be independently transferred and stored, ensuring transfer reliability while maintaining operational simplicity through automated chunk management.
3Reliability
If multiple identical data chunks are stored for different clients, then data availability for each client is ensured, but storage efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges duplicate data chunks by storing only one copy and maintaining references to it for multiple clients. This combining approach ensures data availability for all clients while dramatically improving storage efficiency by eliminating redundant storage.
Data Source
AI summary
An expansion cartridge (200) and a method for deduplicating the data chunks stored at a client device (100) using the expansion cartridge (200), (300) are claimed herein. As per the invention, the expansion cartridge (200) is attachable, externally, to client devices (100) carrying the electronic data files to be transferred, wherein the expansion cartridge (200) is characterized by a file management component (220), a chunk management component (240), a storage component (260), and a mirroring component (280), and wherein, the expansion cartridge (200) on being attached with the client devices (100) interfaces with a client side data historian (125) and a client side processor (150) in the client device (100) using interfacing options, including without limitation, Small Computer System Interfaces (SCSI), Fibre Channel (FC) Interface, Ethernet Interface, Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA) Interface or a combination thereof.