Image Segment Cache Provisioning via Usage Counters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional systems for provisioning images are not optimized for frequent provisioning and often designed for occasional use, leading to delays in providing image segments, which is inefficient and unsatisfactory for end users and administrators.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that tracks the usage of image segments and moves the most frequently used ones to a cache for quicker provisioning, using a use counter to determine when an image segment meets a predetermined threshold for frequent provisioning, allowing it to be hosted in the cache for faster access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional systems provision images from complete images stored on storage systems, then the system can maintain a comprehensive image library, but the provisioning time is excessive and unsatisfactory for frequent provisioning needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides complete images into smaller image segments that can be independently cached and provisioned. Instead of retrieving entire images from storage systems, the system segments images into manageable portions that can be stored in cache memory, enabling faster provisioning by only retrieving the necessary segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-caching frequently used image segments in memory before they are needed for provisioning. Use counters track segment usage patterns, and segments meeting threshold criteria are proactively loaded into cache, so when provisioning is requested, the segments are already available for immediate deployment.
2Speed
If the system caches all image segments to enable fast provisioning, then provisioning speed improves, but the cache memory requirements and system complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses use counters to track segment access patterns and proactively caches segments that meet predetermined thresholds before they are needed. This preliminary action allows the system to maintain a manageable cache size by only pre-loading segments with demonstrated high usage patterns, rather than caching all possible segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts cache management based on usage parameters. Use counters monitor segment access frequency, and segments are transferred between cache and storage based on threshold criteria. This parameter-driven approach optimizes cache utilization and reduces unnecessary cache operations, simplifying overall system management.
3Loss of time
If the system provisions from storage systems without segmentation, then the system architecture remains simple, but the provisioning time is excessive and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements segmentation by dividing images into smaller image segments that can be independently managed and cached. This segmentation enables the system to work with smaller data units, allowing cache memory to store more segments and enabling faster retrieval times compared to handling complete images.
Solution Approach 2:
The image segment architecture provides multi-functionality: segments can be cached individually, combined to form complete images, and managed using universal use counters and threshold criteria. This universal segment-based approach replaces the need for separate complete image management systems, ultimately reducing overall complexity despite the initial segmentation overhead.
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosed computer-implemented method for provisioning frequently used image segments from caches may include (1) storing a representation and a use counter for an image segment that is hosted on a storage system in a list of representations and use counters for image segments hosted on the storage system, (2) incrementing a current value of the use counter for the image segment in the list of representations and use counters each time the image segment is provisioned from the storage system, (3) determining that the current value of the use counter for the image segment has met a predetermined threshold for frequent image-segment provisioning, (4) hosting the image segment in a cache that enables quicker provisioning than the storage system enables, and (5) provisioning the image segment from the cache in response to a request to provision the image segment. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.