Hybrid Storage System with Volatile and Non-Volatile Segments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current storage systems face challenges in maintaining data integrity and availability during power interruptions, particularly when using volatile solid-state storage devices, as they require additional components like battery backup systems to ensure non-volatility, which increases complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A storage system comprising a primary storage space with volatile storage devices, a temporary backup space also with volatile storage devices, and a permanent backup space with non-volatile storage devices, where data is redundantly stored across these spaces with a storage controller managing the storage sequence and utilizing UPS units for power backup during interruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If volatile solid-state storage devices are used for primary storage, then data access speed and performance are improved, but data integrity and availability during power interruptions deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is segmented into three distinct storage spaces: primary storage space with volatile storage devices for high-speed data access, temporary backup space with volatile storage devices for intermediate backup, and permanent backup space with non-volatile storage devices for data protection. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously achieve high performance through volatile storage and data integrity through non-volatile backup storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The temporary backup space acts as an intermediary between the primary storage space and permanent backup space. During normal operation, data is written to both primary and temporary backup spaces simultaneously. During power interruptions, the UPS system provides power to complete the transfer from temporary backup to permanent backup, ensuring data integrity while maintaining the performance benefits of volatile storage.
2Reliability
If battery backup systems are added to ensure non-volatility, then data protection during power interruptions is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making all storage devices non-volatile through battery backup systems, the invention applies non-volatility only to the permanent backup space. The primary storage space continues to use volatile storage devices for high performance, while the permanent backup space uses non-volatile storage devices for data protection. This localized application of non-volatility reduces system complexity and cost while maintaining data protection.
Solution Approach 2:
Data is preliminarily written to both the primary storage space and temporary backup space simultaneously during normal operation. This preliminary action ensures that data is already in the backup space before a power interruption occurs, allowing the UPS system to simply complete the transfer to permanent backup without needing to protect the entire primary storage system during power failures.
3Reliability
If data is redundantly stored across multiple spaces, then data availability is improved, but storage time and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by implementing asynchronous destaging from temporary backup space to permanent backup space. During normal operation, data is written synchronously to primary and temporary backup spaces for immediate availability. The temporary backup space is then periodically emptied to permanent backup space when UPS power is available, reducing the time data resides in temporary storage while maintaining data availability through the redundant copy in permanent backup.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a storage system which includes a primary storage space associated with a first plurality of VS devices, a temporary backup storage space associated with a second plurality of VS devices, a permanent backup storage space associated with a third plurality of NVS devices, a storage controller responsive to a write request including storing the data-element within the primary storage space and substantially immediately or concurrently storing recovery-enabling-data corresponding to the data-element within the temporary backup storage space, and asynchronously with the provisional redundant storage sequence, the controller is adapted to destage the recovery-enabling data to the permanent backup storage space, and one or more UPS units configured to provide backup power in case of power interruption to enable completion of destaging of recovery-enabling data for the entire data-set of the storage system.