Nonvolatile Buffer Cache In-Place Commit Journaling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Journaling file systems generate excessive storage traffic and reduce performance due to frequent commit operations, making them inefficient for cloud storage systems, and they struggle to maintain data consistency during system failures and power outages.
Innovation Solution
A buffer cache apparatus with nonvolatile memory that performs in-place commit operations, freezing cache blocks to prevent overwriting and checkpointing them at predetermined times, allowing for efficient data management and recovery without the need for additional journaling storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If frequent commit operations are performed to ensure data consistency, then reliability is improved, but storage traffic increases and performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the buffer cache and journaling functions into a single integrated system. The buffer cache apparatus performs both buffering and journaling operations using its internal nonvolatile memory, eliminating the need for separate journaling storage and reducing storage traffic by combining multiple functions in one location.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer cache apparatus performs self-journaling by using its own nonvolatile memory to store journal entries. This self-service mechanism allows the system to maintain data consistency without requiring external journaling storage, thereby reducing storage traffic and improving performance while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If separate journaling storage is added to improve reliability, then data consistency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the buffer cache and journaling functions into a single integrated apparatus. The buffer cache apparatus uses its internal nonvolatile memory to perform journaling operations, eliminating the need for separate journaling storage and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining data consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer cache apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions: buffering, journaling, and data consistency maintenance. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated journaling storage, thereby reducing device complexity while achieving reliable data consistency.
3Reliability
If nonvolatile memory is used for buffer cache, then data consistency during power outages is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer cache apparatus uses its own internal nonvolatile memory to perform journaling operations, eliminating the need for separate external nonvolatile memory components. This self-service approach reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining data consistency during power outages through the nonvolatile storage capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are a buffer cache apparatus, a journaling file system, and a journaling method capable of incorporating journaling features based on nonvolatile memory. The buffer cache apparatus provides a data buffering function between a central processing unit (CPU) and storage. The buffer cache apparatus includes a plurality of cache blocks and a journal management unit. The plurality of cache blocks are configured as volatile or nonvolatile memory devices. The journal management unit maintains states of freezing for write-protecting dirty up-to-date cache blocks among the plurality of cache blocks.