Multi-Namespace Storage Mapping Cache for Continuous Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage devices face challenges in efficiently managing multiple namespaces, leading to fragmentation and inefficient use of storage space, which affects read/write operations and overall performance.
Innovation Solution
The storage device employs a multi-namespace function that manages contiguous logical address spaces, using a cache to store mapping information during defragmentation operations, allowing rapid response to host requests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mapping information is deleted from logical address space during namespace deletion, then storage space is freed, but read/write operations cannot be performed during defragmentation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cache as an intermediary component that temporarily stores mapping information of the second namespace during defragmentation operations. This cache acts as a mediator between the host and the nonvolatile memory, allowing read/write requests to be serviced using cached mapping information while the original mapping information is being deleted and recreated, thus maintaining access reliability during namespace deletion and defragmentation operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent loads mapping information of the second namespace into a cache before deleting the mapping information of the first namespace. This preliminary action ensures that when defragmentation is performed, the mapping information is already available in the cache, enabling continuous access to the second namespace through the cache while the logical address space is being reorganized
2Productivity
If defragmentation operation is performed during namespace deletion, then storage efficiency is improved, but operation time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous servicing of read/write requests during defragmentation by using the cache to store mapping information. While the mapping information is being copied from the second logical address space to the first logical address space, the cache provides uninterrupted access to the second namespace, allowing defragmentation to proceed without halting useful operations, thus reducing the overall time loss
3Productivity
If mapping information is copied between logical address spaces, then namespace consolidation is achieved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cache serves as an intermediary that simplifies the copying process by pre-loading mapping information. Instead of directly copying mapping information during host access operations, the cache intermediates by storing the mapping information in advance, reducing the complexity of real-time processing during namespace consolidation operations
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
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 fist 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.