Flash Copy Relocation Without Controller Data Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional storage systems experience performance degradation due to increased communication bandwidth consumption for data relocation, especially when using higher storage density modes like QLC, as frequent data relocation is required to mitigate errors, which hinders the transmission of user data.
Innovation Solution
The storage device autonomously relocates data to a new location within itself without transmitting it to the storage controller, preserving communication bandwidth and improving system performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is relocated using conventional storage systems, then data relocation is achieved, but communication bandwidth consumption increases and system performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device performs data relocation autonomously without controller involvement. The device includes a relocation identifier that autonomously identifies data requiring relocation and a relocation executor that relocates such data to a different location within the same device, enabling self-service data management and eliminating bandwidth-consuming controller communications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the data relocation function from the storage controller and places it directly within the storage device. By removing the controller from the relocation process and implementing relocation logic locally in the device, the system eliminates unnecessary data transmission over communication channels while maintaining relocation capability
2Quantity of substance
If higher storage density modes like QLC are used, then storage capacity increases, but frequency of data relocation increases and user data transmission is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device autonomously handles relocation operations for high-density storage modes without controller intervention. The relocation identifier continuously monitors and identifies data requiring relocation, while the relocation executor performs the relocation locally, allowing the system to maintain high storage capacity while preventing relocation operations from interfering with user data transmission productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The storage device is segmented into functional components: a relocation identifier module that autonomously identifies data needing relocation and a relocation executor module that performs relocation. This segmentation allows independent operation of relocation functions, enabling high-density storage modes to operate without compromising user data transmission efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A point-in-time copy of data of a source volume stored in a first set of blocks of a plurality of storage devices is generated. A command to relocate the point-in-time copy from the first set of data blocks of the plurality of storage devices to a second set of data blocks of the plurality of storage devices of a target volume while bypassing the storage system controller is transmitted by a storage system controller. The command includes address information associated with the second set of blocks. A mapping data structure is updated to associate read requests for the point-in-time copy with the second set of blocks of the target volume.