Hybrid Cloud Storage Clone Efficiency via Disk Track Positioning

Solution Overview

Problem

In hybrid cloud computing environments, existing cloning mechanisms are inefficient due to the limitations in read/write speed caused by the angular velocity of disk tracks, particularly when data is stored on inner partitions, which hampers computation workloads and data transfer between private and public cloud environments.

Innovation Solution

A method that identifies the location of target data on storage disks and alters its position from inner to outer tracks based on importance and demand criteria, optimizing cloning operations by leveraging the speed variations between inner and outer partitioned tracks, thereby improving computation efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of stationary object

If data is stored on inner partitioned tracks of the storage disk, then storage capacity is maximized, but read/write speed decreases due to angular velocity limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidread/write speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by proactively identifying important data and migrating it from inner tracks to outer tracks before cloning operations are requested. This advance preparation ensures that when cloning is needed, the data is already positioned on faster outer tracks, eliminating the speed bottleneck during the actual cloning operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different quality characteristics to different data by location: important, frequently-accessed data is placed on outer tracks with higher read/write speeds, while less critical data remains on inner tracks. This spatial differentiation of data quality based on access requirements resolves the contradiction by optimizing speed for critical operations while maintaining overall storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If data is migrated from inner tracks to outer tracks before cloning, then cloning efficiency improves, but additional time and resources are consumed for track alteration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecloning efficiencyVSAvoidtime for track alteration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter of data location (from inner tracks to outer tracks) based on the importance level and access patterns. By dynamically adjusting data position parameters rather than physically moving all data, the system optimizes cloning efficiency for critical data while minimizing the time and resources spent on track alterations through intelligent selection criteria.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If all data is placed on outer tracks to maximize read/write speed, then cloning operations are faster, but storage capacity utilization decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveread/write speedVSAvoidstorage capacity utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different quality characteristics to different data by location: important, frequently-accessed data is placed on outer tracks with higher read/write speeds, while less critical data remains on inner tracks. This spatial differentiation of data quality based on access requirements resolves the contradiction by optimizing speed for critical operations while maintaining overall storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11641394B2Clone efficiency in a hybrid storage cloud environment

Publication Date: 2023.05.02 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

An efficient cloning mechanism is provided for a distributed storage environment, where, for example, a private cloud computing environment and a public cloud computing environment are included in a hybrid cloud computing environment (on-premise object storage to off-premise computation resources), to improve computation workloads. The disclosed algorithm forms an efficient cloning mechanism in a hybrid storage environment where the read/write speed of data from the disk is not limited by its angular velocity.