Object ID Translation for Distributed Storage Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional storage systems face challenges in scaling content addressable storage (CAS) systems due to differences in object IDs between legacy CAS systems and large distributed storage systems, leading to inefficiencies in object ID translation and increased costs as capacity demands grow.
Innovation Solution
A system that determines if a data storage object was created on a different system by examining its object ID for an indicator, using a lookup table to translate between object ID formats, and directly converting the object ID to a new format without external data, allowing seamless integration and scalability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a lookup table is used to translate object IDs between different storage systems, then compatibility between legacy CAS systems and large distributed storage systems is achieved, but scalability is compromised as the translation table cannot scale well
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the object ID translation function from the traditional lookup table approach and integrates it directly into the object ID structure itself. By embedding translation information within the object ID format, the system eliminates the need for external translation tables, achieving both compatibility and scalability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The object ID structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it identifies objects, provides translation between different storage system formats, and enables direct conversion without external references. This multi-functional design allows a single object ID to handle compatibility requirements while scaling efficiently in large distributed environments.
2Reliability
If specialized hardware platforms are used in conventional storage systems, then required levels of performance and reliability are achieved, but customer prices increase and volume economics are not supported
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces specialized hardware platforms with a software-based object ID conversion mechanism. By implementing translation directly in the object ID structure rather than through dedicated hardware, the system achieves cost-effectiveness while maintaining performance and reliability through software optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the approach from hardware-based performance optimization to parameter-based optimization through efficient object ID conversion algorithms. By optimizing the conversion process at the data level rather than at the hardware level, the system achieves volume economics and reduced costs while maintaining required performance levels.
3Adaptability or versatility
If object ID translation tables are used for CAS system migration, then legacy CAS systems can be migrated to large distributed storage systems, but the translation process requires external data and cannot scale well for new data objects
Solution Approach 1:
The object ID structure performs self-translation by embedding conversion information directly within the object ID itself. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external translation tables and reduces the complexity of the migration process, allowing new data objects to be created and translated without requiring external data references.
Data Source
AI summary
Storing a data storage object in a first data storage system that uses object IDs with a first object ID format includes determining if the data storage object was created on a second, different, data storage system having a second object ID format different from the first object ID format or created using an emulator of the different data storage system, using a lookup table to translate between the first object ID format and the second object ID format in response to the data storage object having been created on the different data storage system, and directly converting the object ID to a new object ID having the second object ID format without using external data. Directly converting may include converting at least a portion of the content of the data storage object into at least a portion of the object ID.