Multi-Namespace Storage Device Using Cached Mapping During Defragmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage devices face inefficiencies in managing multiple namespaces, leading to fragmentation and waste of storage space, which affects response times and overall performance during defragmentation operations.
Innovation Solution
The storage device implements a multi-namespace function by managing contiguous logical address spaces and using a cache to store mapping information during defragmentation, allowing rapid response to host requests through the controller's meta manager and cache system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mapping information is stored only in nonvolatile memory during defragmentation, then storage reliability is maintained, but response time to host requests increases due to slower access speed
Solution Approach 1:
A cache memory is introduced as an intermediary between the nonvolatile memory and the controller. The cache stores frequently accessed mapping information during defragmentation operations, providing fast access while the original mapping information remains safely stored in nonvolatile memory. This resolves the contradiction by using the cache as a buffer that delivers rapid responses without compromising the reliability of the primary storage.
2Productivity
If namespace mapping information is copied during defragmentation, then storage efficiency is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-copying namespace mapping information to the cache before defragmentation operations begin. This allows the controller to quickly access and use the copied mapping information during defragmentation, improving storage efficiency while managing complexity through advance preparation rather than complex real-time processing.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple namespaces are managed in contiguous address spaces, then storage space utilization is improved, but namespace management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device divides the nonvolatile memory into multiple distinct namespaces, each with its own logical address space. This segmentation allows independent management of each namespace while maintaining overall contiguous address space utilization. The controller can manage each namespace separately, simplifying the complexity of managing multiple namespaces while improving storage space utilization through contiguous allocation.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage device includes a nonvolatile memory and a controller configured to manage data, stored in the nonvolatile memory, through a plurality of namespaces. The plurality of namespaces may include a first namespace, allocated to a first logical address space, and a second namespace allocated to a second logical address space, contiguous to the first logical address space. The controller may be configured to delete the first namespace in the first logical address space in response to a request of deleting the first name space, to copy the mapping information on the second namespace from the second logical address space to the first logical address space, and to load the mapping information on the second namespace into a cache.