Memory Allocation via Data ID Mapping for Persistence

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional computer systems using DRAM as memory face challenges in retaining data across power interruptions, and existing methods for non-volatile memories like SCM struggle to efficiently map and manage data across multiple virtual address spaces, leading to issues with data persistence and access speed.

Innovation Solution

A computer system that includes a processor, non-volatile memory, and volatile memory, where the system program manages data map information to associate IDs with virtual and physical areas, allowing application programs to request allocations and ensure data persistence across power interruptions by mapping and remapping data to available memory areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If non-volatile memory (SCM) is used to retain data across power interruptions, then data persistence is improved, but access speed deteriorates compared to volatile memory

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata persistenceVSAvoidaccess speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the storage system into multiple layers: volatile memory for high-speed access, non-volatile memory for data persistence, and external storage for capacity. This segmentation allows each layer to perform optimally - volatile memory provides fast access while non-volatile memory ensures data persistence, resolving the contradiction between speed and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a storage management system that acts as an intermediary between the application and the multi-layer storage system. This mediator transparently manages data placement and retrieval across volatile and non-volatile memory, allowing applications to access data at high speed while ensuring persistence through the non-volatile memory layer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If data is stored in non-volatile memory for persistence, then data retention through power interruptions is improved, but access speed deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata retentionVSAvoidaccess time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-loading frequently accessed data from non-volatile memory into volatile memory before it is needed. This advance preparation ensures that when applications need data, it is already in high-speed volatile memory, eliminating access time delays while maintaining data retention through the non-volatile memory layer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Speed

If physical area is allocated only within the computer's non-volatile memory, then data access speed is improved, but storage capacity is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata access speedVSAvoidstorage capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal storage space that functions as both local non-volatile memory and external storage. The storage management system allows the same physical storage resources to serve multiple purposes - providing fast access when data is in non-volatile memory and extending capacity through external storage, making the storage system universally accessible and multi-functional

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If data is mapped to virtual address space using conventional methods, then application compatibility is maintained, but data reuse across executions is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication compatibilityVSAvoiddata reuse

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The storage management system implements feedback mechanisms that track data access patterns and usage across different application executions. This feedback information is used to intelligently pre-load and cache data that is likely to be reused, maintaining application compatibility through standard virtual address space mapping while preventing data loss through intelligent data retention based on usage patterns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10235282B2Computer system, computer, and method to manage allocation of virtual and physical memory areas

Publication Date: 2019.03.19 HITACHI VANTARA LTD

AI summary

An allocation request for requesting allocation of a target virtual area with respect to target data issued to a system program includes a target ID corresponding to the target data. In response to the allocation request, whether or not the target ID is included in data map information is determined. When it is included in the data map information, the system program determines whether or not a target physical area is included in a storage apparatus. When the target physical area is included in the storage apparatus, the system program reserves a free area in a non-volatile memory as a target memory area, copies target data stored in the storage apparatus to the target memory area, changes the target physical area in the data map information to the target memory area, and writes an association between the target virtual area and the target memory area into the volatile memory.