Hybrid Storage Controller Address Mapping for Speed and Lifespan
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional storage systems face challenges in balancing the high access speed of flash memory with the longer lifespan and larger capacity of hard disks, leading to reduced performance and lifespan of hybrid storage apparatuses when using flash memory as a cache for hard disks.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid storage apparatus and controller that groups physical blocks into storage and replacement areas, configures logical blocks and disk addresses, and clusters access addresses to optimize data access and prolong lifespan by mapping logical access addresses to both non-volatile memory and hard disk modules effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If flash memory is used as the primary hard drive to achieve high access speed, then data access speed is improved, but the lifespan of the storage apparatus is reduced due to limited write/erase cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The storage apparatus is segmented into two distinct storage media: a flash memory module for high-speed access and a hard disk module for durable storage. The controller divides the address space into a first address space mapping to flash memory and a second address space mapping to the hard disk, allowing different data to be stored in different media based on their respective strengths.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the storage apparatus are assigned different qualities: the flash memory module provides high-speed access for frequently accessed data, while the hard disk module provides long-term storage for less frequently accessed data. This local differentiation allows each component to operate in its optimal performance range.
2Speed
If flash memory is used as cache for hard disk to improve response speed, then access speed is improved, but the controller still needs to move data from flash memory into corresponding disk addresses, reducing overall efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the cache function with the primary storage function by making the flash memory module directly accessible through the controller without requiring data movement to disk addresses. The controller can directly access flash memory blocks through the first address space, eliminating the need for intermediate data transfer operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that manages both storage media through unified address space mapping. It can selectively access either the flash memory module or the hard disk module based on the address space requirements, streamlining the data access process and eliminating unnecessary data movement operations.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If hard disk is used as primary storage to achieve larger capacity and longer lifespan, then durability is improved, but data access speed is reduced compared to flash memory
Solution Approach 1:
The storage apparatus is segmented into two distinct storage media: a flash memory module for high-speed access and a hard disk module for durable storage. The controller divides the address space into a first address space mapping to flash memory and a second address space mapping to the hard disk, allowing different data to be stored in different media based on their respective strengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects which storage media to access based on the address space requirements and data characteristics. The controller can flexibly switch between accessing flash memory for speed-critical operations and hard disk for capacity-critical operations, optimizing performance based on real-time needs.
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid storage apparatus including a non-volatile memory module, a hard disk module, and a hybrid storage medium controller is provided. The hybrid storage medium controller groups physical blocks of the non-volatile memory module into at least a storage area and a replacement area, and the hybrid storage medium controller configures a plurality of logical blocks for mapping to the physical blocks in the storage area and configures a plurality of logical disk addresses for mapping to physical disk addresses of the hard disk module. The hybrid storage medium controller further configures a plurality of logical access addresses to be accessed by a host system and initially maps a portion of the logical access addresses to the logical blocks and the other logical access addresses to a portion of the logical disk addresses. Accordingly, the hybrid storage apparatus can have improved data access performance and prolonged lifespan.