Host-Offloaded Hash Signatures for Storage Array Deduplication
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Solution Overview
Problem
The computational demands of hash signature generation for deduplication in storage arrays exceed their processing capacity, limiting the performance of computer-implemented services by impacting storage arrays and hosts.
Innovation Solution
Offload hash signature computations from storage arrays to hosts equipped with data processing units or graphical processing units, ensuring the storage arrays support distributed deduplication and meet deduplication criteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hash signature computations are performed on storage arrays, then deduplication functionality is achieved, but processing capacity is exceeded and service performance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hash signature computation function from the storage array and relocates it to the host system. This separation allows the storage array to focus on its core storage functions while the host's more powerful processing capabilities handle the computationally intensive hashing operations, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining deduplication functionality and preserving service performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the host acts as a mediator between data writing operations and storage array processing. The host computes hash signatures and manages deduplication logic, serving as an intermediary that offloads computational burden from the storage array while ensuring deduplication functionality is maintained through coordinated host-array interaction.
2Productivity
If hash signature computations are offloaded to hosts, then computational capacity is enhanced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hash signature computation function with the host's existing data processing workflow. By integrating deduplication operations into the host's normal data writing process rather than treating it as a separate system component, the solution enhances computational capacity while minimizing the increase in system complexity through natural workflow integration.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for offloading signature computations are disclosed. The signature computations may be offloaded from a storage array to a host. The host may use data processing units or graphical processing units to process the signature computations. In processing the signature computations by the host, the storage array may further process deduplication of the signatures, once they are received from the host. The host may require that the storage array support the distributed system and the deduplication procedure and meet a deduplication ratio specified by a criteria.