High Availability Storage with Non-Volatile Flash Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current storage systems face challenges with data corruption and prolonged initialization times due to power failures, especially in systems without power backup for flash block management tables, leading to inefficiencies and single points of failure that can render them inoperable.
Innovation Solution
A high-availability storage system design that includes a first and second storage system with physically-addressed SSDs and non-volatile memory modules, where flash block management tables are maintained in non-volatile memory to prevent reconstruction upon power interruptions, and redundant components to ensure continuous operation in case of failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If flash block management tables are maintained in volatile memory, then system operation speed is improved, but data corruption occurs upon power failure and reconstruction time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains flash block management tables in non-volatile memory (NVM) from the outset, so that the data persistence capability is already in place before any power failure occurs. This preliminary positioning of data in a safe storage medium prevents data corruption and eliminates the need for time-consuming reconstruction operations after power restoration.
2Reliability
If flash block management tables are reconstructed after power failure, then data integrity is restored, but initialization time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
By pre-positioning the flash block management tables in non-volatile memory before any potential power failure, the system eliminates the need for post-failure reconstruction. The data is already in its required location and format, allowing the system to resume operation immediately without time-consuming initialization procedures.
3Reliability
If redundant storage systems are implemented, then system availability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple storage systems into a single integrated architecture where flash block management tables are maintained in non-volatile memory across the system. This merging approach allows redundant systems to share common data structures and management mechanisms, reducing overall complexity while maintaining high availability through the shared persistent storage layer.
Data Source
AI summary
A high-availability storage system includes a first storage system and a second storage system. The first storage system includes a first Central Processing Unit (CPU), a first physically-addressed solid state disk (SSD) and a first non-volatile memory module that is coupled to the first CPU. Similarly, the second storage system includes a second CPU and a second SSD. Upon failure of one of the first or second CPUs, or the storage system with the non-failing CPU continues to be operational and the storage system with the failed CPU is deemed inoperational and the first and second SSDs remain accessible.