Key-Value SSDs Eliminate File System Overhead

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional data storage systems incur inefficiencies due to the need for an additional file system layer, leading to increased memory and processor overheads, overprovisioning, and higher write amplification in resource-limited environments, as they do not natively support key-value interfaces.

Innovation Solution

A distributed data storage system utilizing key-value solid-state drives (SSDs) that directly store data as key-value pairs, eliminating the need for a file system layer by using SSDs with block identifiers as keys and block data as values, optimized for block-level parallelism and simplified flash translation layer management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a file system layer is added to provide key-value interface on top of traditional storage devices, then key-value storage functionality is achieved, but memory overhead and processor overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekey-value storage functionalityVSAvoidmemory overhead and processor overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the file system layer from the storage architecture. Instead of having a traditional storage device with a file system layer providing key-value interface, the invention uses a key-value storage device that natively supports key-value operations, eliminating the intermediate file system layer and its associated memory and processor overheads

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent eliminates the file system as an intermediary layer between the storage device and the key-value interface. By using a storage device that natively supports key-value operations, the intermediary file system layer is removed, directly connecting the storage hardware to the key-value interface requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a file system layer is used to provide key-value interface, then key-value storage is enabled, but write amplification increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekey-value storage capabilityVSAvoidwrite amplification

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the file system layer that causes write amplification. By using a key-value storage device with native key-value support, the patent eliminates the additional write operations required by file system abstractions, directly reducing write amplification and associated energy loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a file system layer is implemented on storage devices, then key-value interface is provided, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekey-value interface supportVSAvoidsoftware layer complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the complex file system software layer from the storage architecture. By using a key-value storage device that natively supports key-value operations, the patent simplifies the overall system by eliminating the file system abstraction layer and its associated complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The key-value storage device provides its own native key-value interface without requiring an external file system layer. The storage device serves itself by implementing key-value functionality directly in hardware or firmware, eliminating the need for complex software abstractions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Quantity of substance

If traditional storage devices with file systems are used, then data storage is achieved, but resource utilization efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata storage capacityVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the file system layer that reduces resource utilization efficiency. By using key-value storage devices with native key-value support, the patent eliminates the overhead associated with file system management, improving CPU utilization and overall resource efficiency while maintaining data storage capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the interface parameters from traditional file system operations to native key-value operations. This parameter change enables more efficient resource utilization by matching the storage device capabilities directly with the access patterns required, improving productivity without sacrificing storage capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11392544B2System and method for leveraging key-value storage to efficiently store data and metadata in a distributed file system

Publication Date: 2022.07.19 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A solid-state drive (SSD) includes: a plurality of data blocks; a plurality of flash channels and a plurality of ways to access the plurality of data blocks; and an SSD controller that configures a block size of the plurality of data blocks. A data file is stored in the SSD with one or more key-values pairs, and each key-value pair has a block identifier as a key and a block data as a value. A size of the data file is equal to the block size or a multiple of the block size.