Managed Directory Virtual Cloning with Triggered Block Copying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional storage systems face inefficiencies in data management and reliability due to unnecessary write operations and lack of centralized control over storage processes, leading to reduced reliability and increased wear on storage devices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a direct-mapped flash storage system where the operating system directly addresses data blocks without translation by storage controllers, offloading device management tasks, and utilizing non-volatile RAM for quick data buffering to enhance reliability and reduce unnecessary writes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If storage controllers translate and manage data blocks, then data management is centralized and simplified, but device complexity increases and unnecessary write operations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the translation and management functions from the storage controller, allowing the operating system to directly address data blocks on storage devices without controller intervention. This eliminates unnecessary write operations and reduces controller complexity while maintaining ease of data management through direct OS control.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage system enables self-service by allowing the operating system to directly manage data blocks without requiring storage controller translation. The system serves itself by eliminating the intermediate controller layer, reducing complexity and unnecessary operations while maintaining operational simplicity through direct addressing.
2Reliability
If storage controllers manage all write operations, then data integrity can be maintained, but device wear increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the storage controller from the write operation path, allowing the operating system to directly write data blocks to storage devices. This extraction eliminates redundant controller-mediated writes that cause device wear, extending storage device lifespan while maintaining data integrity through direct OS control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system skips the intermediate storage controller translation step in the write path, allowing direct writes from the operating system to storage devices. This rushing through of the write operation eliminates unnecessary processing steps that contribute to device wear, improving reliability and extending device lifespan.
3Productivity
If storage controllers translate data blocks, then data management is simplified, but write operations become redundant and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data block translation function from the storage controller, enabling the operating system to directly address and write data blocks to storage devices. This eliminates redundant write operations and the energy waste associated with controller-mediated translations, improving productivity while reducing energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system skips the storage controller translation step in the data write path, allowing direct writes from the operating system to storage devices. This rushing through of the write operation eliminates redundant processing and associated energy waste, improving data management efficiency and reducing energy consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
An illustrative data storage system efficiently clones a managed directory of a file system. For example, the storage system generates a virtual clone of a managed directory of a file system such that modifications made to either of the managed directory or the virtual clone of the managed directory after the generation of the virtual clone of the managed directory are distinct from the other of the managed directory or the virtual clone of the managed directory. The managed directory and the virtual clone of the managed directory initially share block objects representing files and directories of a directory tree of the managed directory, such by including distinct references to the block objects. The system clones one or more of the block objects as needed when trigger events occur.