Mapped Mode File System for Dynamic Storage Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
File-based data storage systems lack flexibility and performance in managing storage resources efficiently, particularly in dynamically scaling storage allocation to meet demand and supporting advanced functionalities like deduplication.
Innovation Solution
A multi-level file system architecture with a lower-deck file system operating in mapped mode, allowing for thin provisioning and dynamic storage allocation, along with the ability to transition to direct mode for improved performance and flexibility, enabling efficient storage management and supporting features like deduplication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional file system storage allocation is used, then storage capacity is provided, but flexibility and performance in dynamically scaling storage allocation are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic storage allocation by allowing the lower-deck file system to transition between mapped mode and direct mode. In mapped mode, block addresses are obtained through arbitrary mapping (e.g., Inode/IB tree) for flexibility and thin provisioning. The system can transition to direct mode when performance optimization is needed, where block addresses are calculated directly without traversal. This dynamic mode switching enables the system to adapt storage allocation strategies based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the file system into two operational modes (mapped mode and direct mode) within the lower-deck file system. This segmentation allows different parts of the system to operate with different allocation strategies simultaneously, providing both flexibility for thin provisioning and performance for direct access paths, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and productivity.
2Quantity of substance
If thin provisioning is used, then storage efficiency is improved, but performance may be impacted due to arbitrary mapping requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between mapped mode (for thin provisioning efficiency) and direct mode (for performance-critical operations). This allows the system to maintain storage efficiency through arbitrary mapping when needed while achieving high performance through direct block address calculation when performance is the priority, thus resolving the contradiction between storage efficiency and access speed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mapped mode is used for thin provisioning, then storage flexibility is enhanced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lower-deck file system is designed to perform multiple functions through a unified structure that supports both mapped mode (for thin provisioning and flexibility) and direct mode (for performance). By making the file system multi-functional rather than requiring separate systems for different operations, the patent reduces overall system complexity while maintaining storage flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A data storage system includes storage devices and a processing subsystem executing software forming a lower-deck file system and an upper-deck file system. The lower-deck file system presents a volume file from which storage is provided to the upper-deck file system, and units of storage of the storage devices are allocable to the upper-deck file system but are not reserved to it. The volume file is thinly provisioned, and additional units of storage are added dynamically to increase its allocated size in response to demand from the upper-deck file system. The lower-deck file system operates in a mapped mode in which a block address in the lower-deck file system is obtained by a generally arbitrary mapping (e.g., an Inode/IB tree) of a block address in the volume file.