Layered Format State Management for Small-Write Storage Volumes
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Solution Overview
Problem
In software-defined storage systems, performance degradation occurs due to mismatched format management sizes between upper and lower layer programs, leading to inefficient zero filling and increased write sizes for small data requests.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a storage system with dual format management information layers, where the upper layer sets regions to a formatted state and the lower layer manages the actual format state, allowing direct data writes without unnecessary zero filling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the upper layer program performs zero filling to match its management size before passing write requests to the lower layer, then the format state management is consistent with the upper layer's requirements, but the write performance degrades due to increased data size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the format management into two independent layers: upper layer format management information and lower layer format management information. Each layer manages format states independently at its own management size, eliminating the need for cross-layer data expansion while maintaining各自 format consistency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing each layer to have different format management characteristics suited to its needs. The upper layer manages format at its management size for its format consistency, while the lower layer manages format at its management size for efficient data writing, with each layer optimized for its specific function
2Device complexity
If the write size is increased to match the upper layer's management size, then the format management becomes simpler, but the I/O efficiency decreases due to larger data transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides format management into separate segments for upper and lower layers, each with independent format management information. This segmentation allows each layer to manage format at its optimal size without being constrained by the other layer's management size, reducing unnecessary data expansion while maintaining format consistency within each layer
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary format state setting in the upper layer before data writing. The upper layer sets the format state according to its management size, and the lower layer independently manages its format state, so format management is completed in advance without requiring data size expansion during the write operation
Data Source
AI summary
The write performance of a storage system is improved. A storage system includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores a first control program, a second control program in a control layer different from that of the first control program, first format management information that manages a format state of each storage area of a storage device, and second format management information that manages the format state of each storage area of the storage device. In registering a volume, the processor sets a region in the storage device, the region being assigned to the volume, to a formatted state in the first format management information according to the first control program, and sets an actual format state of the region in the storage device, the region being assigned to the volume, in the second format management information according to the second control program.