NAS Data Migration via Block-Level Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network-attached storage (NAS) devices face limitations in performance due to their self-contained hardware and reduced processing capabilities, which can lead to bottlenecks when handling multiple users or operations, particularly in terms of data storage capacity and speed, especially when relying on file-level storage protocols.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a data migration system within NAS devices that transfers blocks or chunks of data from primary storage to secondary storage based on criteria such as time-based inactivity, allowing for transparent and automatic data archiving, thereby freeing up space in the cache and expanding storage capacity without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If NAS devices use self-contained hardware with reduced processing capabilities, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but performance and storage capacity are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external storage system that acts as an intermediary between the NAS device and the network. The NAS device communicates with this external storage via a communication interface, allowing the NAS to access additional storage capacity without requiring increased local hardware capabilities. This mediator approach enables performance enhancement while maintaining the simplicity of the NAS device itself.
2Speed
If NAS devices rely on local cache memory capacity, then data access speed is improved, but storage capacity is limited by hardware constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the storage architecture from a single-dimension local cache to a multi-dimensional structure by adding an external storage dimension. The system can store data in local cache for fast access while simultaneously maintaining data in external storage for expanded capacity. This dimensional expansion allows the system to achieve both fast access speeds and large storage capacity by utilizing multiple storage layers.
3Adaptability or versatility
If NAS devices support multiple protocols and operations, then versatility is improved, but processing bottlenecks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the storage function from the processing function by introducing a separate external storage system. The NAS device can support multiple protocols and operations without being bottlenecked by local processing capabilities because the storage operations are offloaded to the external storage system. This separation allows the NAS to maintain protocol versatility while avoiding processing bottlenecks.
Data Source
AI summary
A stand-alone, network accessible data storage device, such as a filer or NAS device, is capable of transferring data objects based on portions of the data objects. The device transfers portions of files, folders, and other data objects from a data store within the device to external secondary storage based on certain criteria, such as time-based criteria, age-based criteria, and so on. A portion may be one or more blocks of a data object, or one or more chunks of a data object, or other segments that combine to form or store a data object. For example, the device identifies one or more blocks of a data object that satisfy a certain criteria, and migrates the identified blocks to external storage, thereby freeing up storage space within the device. The device may determine that a certain number of blocks of a file have not been modified or called by a file system in a certain time period, and migrate these blocks to secondary storage.