Hybrid Memory Controller Snapshot Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for creating a snapshot of data in main memory to ensure data integrity and recovery after a power interruption are inefficient due to the slow access speed of non-volatile memories, which prolongs the snapshot creation process and disrupts system operations.
Innovation Solution
An information processing device is designed with a combination of volatile and non-volatile memories, where the memory controller manages data access, writes history sequentially to the non-volatile log memory, and performs snapshot processing to record write positions, allowing for rapid snapshot creation and efficient data restoration after power interruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all data in the volatile memory is copied to the non-volatile memory to create a snapshot, then data integrity is ensured, but the snapshot creation time becomes excessively long due to the slow access speed of non-volatile memory
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data storage into two parts: volatile memory for fast access and non-volatile memory for data persistence. Instead of copying all data from volatile memory to non-volatile memory, the system only needs to save the write history log from non-volatile memory to create a snapshot, dramatically reducing the time required while ensuring data integrity through the combination of both memory types.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously maintaining a write history log in the non-volatile memory that records all write operations. When a snapshot is needed, the system only needs to save this pre-prepared write history log rather than copying entire data sets, thus reducing snapshot creation time while preserving data integrity.
2Reliability
If a snapshot of the main memory is created at a predetermined timing to allow data restoration after power interruption, then data recovery capability is improved, but the complex processing required for snapshot creation disrupts application program execution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the snapshot creation complexity from the application program by implementing a dedicated memory controller that autonomously manages the hybrid memory system. The memory controller handles all snapshot operations by saving only the write history log to non-volatile memory, eliminating the need for application programs to control complex processing while maintaining data recovery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The memory controller performs self-service by automatically managing snapshot creation without requiring application program intervention. It autonomously saves the write history log to non-volatile memory at predetermined timings, reducing processing complexity for the overall system while ensuring data recovery capability is maintained.
3Quantity of substance
If non-volatile memory is used for large-capacity auxiliary storage, then storage capacity is increased, but the access speed becomes too slow for use as main memory
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges volatile memory and non-volatile memory into a hybrid memory system that combines the high access speed of volatile memory with the large capacity and data persistence of non-volatile memory. The memory controller manages this unified system, allowing the processor to access data at high speeds from the volatile portion while the non-volatile portion provides large-capacity auxiliary storage and data recovery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different functions to different parts of the hybrid memory system: the volatile memory portion handles frequently accessed data requiring high-speed access, while the non-volatile memory portion provides large-capacity auxiliary storage and stores the write history log for data recovery. This localized functional assignment allows each component to operate at its optimal performance level.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing device includes a main memory including a non-volatile memory and a volatile memory with access speed higher than the non-volatile memory, the volatile memory storing data in the non-volatile memory, a processor that issues a read request, a write request and a snapshot request and a memory controller that reads, in response to the read request, data in the volatile memory, writes, in response to the write request, write data in the volatile memory and also writes a write history in a sequential manner to the non-volatile memory, performs, in response to the snapshot request, snapshot processing of recording in non-volatile memory a write position of the write history up to a time of a snapshot, and performs, after the snapshot processing, data restoration processing of writing the written data at the write position in the write history to the non-volatile memory.