Operation-Mode Cache Control for Lower Data Transfer Overhead

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data caching techniques struggle with inefficiencies in specifying required data and timing, leading to increased cached data capacity, data transfer volume, and management costs, resulting in excessive resource and energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A computer system with a storage control unit that manages data through a cache volume based on operation modes determined by an operation mode determination unit, controlling caching, staging, and destaging to optimize data access and reduce unnecessary caching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If data caching technique is used to maintain copies of data in cloud environment, then data access efficiency is improved, but cached data capacity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata access efficiencyVSAvoidcached data capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of cache management from passive history-based selection to active operation-mode-based control. By introducing operation modes (read-intensive, write-intensive, read-write mixed) and corresponding cache policies, the system dynamically adjusts caching behavior to match actual workload characteristics, optimizing the balance between data access efficiency and cached data capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic cache management where the storage control unit receives operation mode information from the operation mode determination unit and adjusts cache policies in real-time. This allows the caching strategy to adapt dynamically to changing access patterns and workload types, improving data access efficiency while preventing unnecessary data from being cached.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If data caching technique is used to maintain copies of data in cloud environment, then data access efficiency is improved, but data transfer volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata access efficiencyVSAvoiddata transfer volume

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of cache management from passive history-based selection to active operation-mode-based control. By introducing operation modes (read-intensive, write-intensive, read-write mixed) and corresponding cache policies, the system dynamically adjusts caching behavior to match actual workload characteristics, optimizing the balance between data access efficiency and cached data capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic cache management where the storage control unit receives operation mode information from the operation mode determination unit and adjusts cache policies in real-time. This allows the caching strategy to adapt dynamically to changing access patterns and workload types, improving data access efficiency while preventing unnecessary data from being cached.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Speed

If data caching technique is used to maintain copies of data in cloud environment, then data access efficiency is improved, but management cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata access efficiencyVSAvoidmanagement cost

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the operation mode determination unit automatically determines the appropriate operation mode based on access history and workload characteristics, and the storage control unit automatically applies the corresponding cache policy. This automation reduces manual intervention and management overhead, lowering management costs while maintaining efficient data access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the operation mode determination unit continuously monitors access patterns and adjusts operation modes accordingly. The storage control unit receives feedback from the operation mode determination unit and adjusts cache policies in real-time. This closed-loop control optimizes cache performance while reducing manual management efforts and costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12536101B2Computer system and method executed by computer system

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 HITACHI VANTARA LTD

AI summary

One object of the disclosure is to reduce a capacity of cached data, reduce a transfer volume, or reduce a management cost. One aspect of the disclosure is a computer system including a storage control unit and a storage apparatus. The storage control unit receives a notification of information on an operation mode determined by an operation mode determination unit based on processing executed by a processing execution unit. When an access request is received via a virtual volume from the processing execution unit in a case where target data is not stored in a cache volume, the storage control unit executes an access to a real volume. The storage control unit controls the cache volume based on the information on the operation mode.