NVDIMM-P File System Instance Grouping for Parallel Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing NVDIMM-N aware file systems have limitations in storage space for user data due to shared meta data and user data areas, leading to high cost per byte and increased device access latency, as they are unable to efficiently utilize the storage space and allow interleaved access to memory devices.

Innovation Solution

Organizing NVDIMM-Ps into groups based on location information and creating a single File System Instance (FSI) for each group, with meta data stored in a meta partition of one NVDIMM-F, allowing parallel access to user data and reducing the need for multiple file instances, thus optimizing storage space and reducing device access latency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a separate File System Instance (FSI) is created for each NVDIMM-N device, then file system compatibility with device interfaces is improved, but storage space is wasted and device access latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefile system compatibilityVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple NVDIMM-N devices into a single logical volume managed by one FSI, combining their storage capacities while maintaining interface compatibility through the underlying NVDIMM-P structure and meta data management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a separate File System Instance (FSI) is created for each NVDIMM-N device, then file system compatibility with device interfaces is improved, but device access latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefile system compatibilityVSAvoiddevice access latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges access operations to multiple NVDIMM-N devices into a unified FSI, enabling coordinated access that reduces latency while maintaining interface compatibility through the NVDIMM-P abstraction layer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If meta data and user data areas are shared in NVDIMM-N devices, then device complexity is reduced, but storage space for user data decreases and cost per byte increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefile system structureVSAvoidstorage space for user data

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the storage space of NVDIMM-N devices into dedicated user data areas and meta data areas, with the FSI managing their organization to maximize user data capacity while maintaining necessary file system structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal FSI that can manage multiple NVDIMM-N devices simultaneously, providing a unified interface for both meta data and user data operations across all devices in the group

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10048886B2Method and system providing file system for an electronic device comprising a composite memory device

Publication Date: 2018.08.14 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A method of providing a file system for an electronic device includes organizing a plurality of Non-Volatile Dual In-Line Memory Module-Ps (NVDIMM-Ps) of a memory device of the electronic device into a plurality of groups based on location information of the NVDIMM-Ps, and creating a single File System Instance (FSI) for each group included in the plurality of groups.