Heterogeneous Storage Segment Mapping for Unequal Erase Blocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The heterogeneous erase block sizes in flash memory across different solid-state drives cause inefficiencies and data management challenges, particularly in storage clusters with replaceable blades, leading to issues with data integrity and wear leveling.
Innovation Solution
Implementing segment-level heterogeneity with adaptive mapping and translation across various erase block sizes, optimizing storage usage by creating logical data segments that adapt to the varying erase block sizes, thereby minimizing wasted space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If uniform block size flash memory is used, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to heterogeneous storage systems deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data into fixed-size units that can be uniformly managed by software, while the physical flash memory blocks remain heterogeneous. This segmentation allows the system to handle different block sizes through a unified interface by breaking data into standardized chunks that can be mapped to various physical block sizes without requiring software modification for each hardware configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer (the segmented data structure and mapping mechanism) between the software and heterogeneous flash memory blocks. This intermediary handles the complexity of dealing with different block sizes, allowing software to operate uniformly while adapting to various hardware configurations through the mapping layer that translates uniform data segments to heterogeneous physical blocks.
2Adaptability or versatility
If software is modified for every hardware replacement, then adaptability to heterogeneous storage systems is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates and loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting data into fixed-size units independent of underlying block sizes, the system eliminates the need to modify software for different hardware configurations. The segmentation approach creates a universal data structure that works across heterogeneous storage systems, preventing time loss associated with software modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal data segmentation approach that functions across all heterogeneous flash memory configurations. This universal method allows the same software to handle different block sizes (4MB, 8MB, 9MB, 12MB, etc.) without modification, achieving multi-functionality and eliminating the need for hardware-specific software versions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If heterogeneous erase block sizes are used, then adaptability to different storage configurations is improved, but manufacturing precision and data management precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation to create uniformly sized data units that are mapped to heterogeneous physical blocks through a precision mapping mechanism. This segmentation approach maintains precision by carefully tracking which data segments map to which physical blocks, ensuring accurate data placement and retrieval despite varying block sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by allowing different physical block sizes to be used in different locations within the storage system, while maintaining uniform data segmentation throughout. Each local region can utilize its specific block size characteristics optimally, while the overall system maintains consistent data management through the universal segmentation approach.
Data Source
AI summary
A first subsegment of a data segment having a first subsegment height corresponding to a second erase block size across a plurality of storage devices is mapped by a storage system controller operatively coupled to the plurality of storage devices, wherein at least one storage device of the plurality of storage devices has a first erase block size that is larger than the second erase block size of other storage devices of the plurality of storage devices. A second subsegment of the data segment having a second subsegment height that is a first difference between the first erase block size and the second erase block size is mapped across a first subset of the plurality of storage devices. A third subsegment of the data segment having a third subsegment height that is a second difference between the second erase block size and the second subsegment height is mapped across a second subset of the plurality of storage devices.