Partitioned Storage Expansion via Matrix Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data storage systems face inefficiencies in scaling storage capacity, leading to excess capacity and increased costs due to the need to add entire physical storage devices to RAID groups, which is not utilized effectively, especially as storage device capacities grow.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a virtualized protection scheme where physical storage devices are divided into partitions, each serving as members of protection groups, allowing for more flexible and efficient reconfiguration of protection groups using matrix-based assignment methods like the linear and pivoting processes to minimize data movement and resource consumption during capacity expansions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If physical storage devices are added to expand storage capacity, then storage capacity increases, but storage capacity utilization becomes inefficient due to adding entire devices rather than utilized portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides physical storage devices into multiple partitions, allowing individual partitions to be assigned to different protection groups. This segmentation enables adding only the required storage capacity rather than entire devices, improving storage capacity utilization by avoiding the waste of adding complete devices when only partial capacity is needed.
2Quantity of substance
If traditional RAID group expansion methods are used, then storage capacity increases, but data movement and reassignment operations increase leading to higher resource consumption and slower expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-assigns partitions to protection groups using matrix-based assignment methods (linear or pivoting processes) before expansion occurs. When capacity expansion is needed, pre-configured partitions can be integrated with minimal data movement. This preliminary organization of storage resources significantly reduces the time and resources required for expansion operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic partition assignment where partitions can be flexibly allocated to different protection groups based on current system needs. The matrix-based assignment allows the system to adapt to varying capacity requirements without rigid restructuring, enabling efficient expansion by dynamically integrating new partitions into existing protection groups.
3Quantity of substance
If more physical storage devices are added to protection groups, then storage capacity increases, but the number of partitions reassigned and data moved increases leading to higher resource consumption
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting storage devices into partitions and using matrix-based assignment, the patent enables adding storage capacity through individual partition integration rather than requiring reassignment of entire device partitions. This approach minimizes the number of partitions that need to be reassigned and reduces data movement, thereby lowering resource consumption during capacity expansion.
4Quantity of substance
If traditional protection group configuration is used, then storage capacity can be expanded, but flexibility and efficiency in reconfiguration are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic protection group configuration where partitions can be flexibly assigned to different protection groups based on current system requirements. The matrix-based assignment methodology allows administrators to efficiently reconfigure storage resources without rigid constraints, enabling the system to adapt to varying capacity and performance needs while maintaining optimal resource utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
Physical storage devices (PSDs) of a protection group cluster (PGC) may be represented by a protection group matrix (PGM) having a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, where each row corresponds to a PSD of the PGC, and each column corresponds to a partition of each PSD. The value specified in each cell at an intersection of a row and column specifies the protection group of the PGC to which the partition of the PSD represented by the column and row, respectively, is (or will be) assigned. In response to one or more of PSDs being added to a PGC, the PGM may be reconfigured, including adding new rows, and transposing portions of columns to the new rows, or transposing portions of rows to portions of columns of the new rows. Protection members of the PGC may be re-assigned based on the reconfiguration.