Metadata Placement in Storage Enclosures

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Previous data storage systems face high risks of metadata loss due to cabling faults and increased latency when storing internal metadata in secondary storage enclosures, which compromises system resiliency and performance.

Innovation Solution

Data storage metadata is selectively allocated and stored in non-volatile data storage devices within a first storage enclosure directly connected to the storage processor, reducing reliance on secondary enclosures and optimizing metadata access times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If data storage metadata is stored in secondary storage enclosures, then storage capacity is increased, but metadata loss risk increases due to cabling faults

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidmetadata loss risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the storage system into a first storage enclosure containing metadata and a second storage enclosure containing host data. This segmentation ensures that metadata, which is critical for system operation, is isolated from the cabling faults that affect secondary enclosures, thereby reducing metadata loss risk while maintaining overall storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first storage enclosure acts as an intermediary between the storage processor and the second storage enclosure. By placing metadata in this intermediate location directly connected to the storage processor, the system creates a protected zone that mediates against cabling faults in the external connections to secondary enclosures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If data storage metadata is stored in secondary storage enclosures, then storage space is utilized, but access latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage space utilizationVSAvoidmetadata access latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments storage functions by dedicating the first storage enclosure exclusively to metadata storage and the second storage enclosure to host data storage. This segmentation allows the metadata to be accessed directly from the storage processor without traversing external cabling to secondary enclosures, significantly reducing access latency while the second enclosure provides additional storage space for host data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by optimizing the storage location based on the specific requirements of different data types. Metadata, which requires fast access and high reliability, is placed locally in the first storage enclosure directly connected to the storage processor. Host data, which has less stringent access requirements, is placed in the second storage enclosure, thus optimizing overall system performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of time

If data storage metadata is stored in first storage enclosure, then metadata access latency is reduced, but storage space for host data is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemetadata access latencyVSAvoidstorage space for host data

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the storage system into two distinct enclosures with specialized functions: the first storage enclosure is dedicated to metadata storage to minimize access latency, while the second storage enclosure is dedicated to host data storage to provide adequate storage capacity. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing each enclosure to be optimized for its specific purpose.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The storage system achieves multi-functionality by using the first storage enclosure for both fast metadata access and as part of the overall storage infrastructure. The second storage enclosure provides bulk storage capacity for host data. Together, these enclosures create a universal storage solution that handles both performance-critical metadata operations and capacity-critical host data storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11513702B2Placement of metadata on data storage drives in a first storage enclosure of a data storage system

Publication Date: 2022.11.29 EMC IP HLDG CO LLC

AI summary

A data storage system in which data storage space for storing data storage metadata is selectively allocated from non-volatile data storage devices contained in a first storage enclosure. The first storage enclosure is directly connected to at least one storage processor of the data storage system, and the data storage system further includes at least one secondary storage enclosure that is indirectly connected to the storage processor. Data storage metadata is generated within the data storage system, and the data storage metadata generated within the data storage system is stored into the data storage space that was selectively allocated for storing data storage metadata from the non-volatile data storage devices contained in the first storage enclosure.