RAID Controller LBA Range Entry Segmentation for Trim Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
RAID systems face slow formatting processes when supporting Trim functions due to the need for additional dividing operations for logical block address range entries, which hinder efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A disk managing method and RAID controller that receive host logical block address range entries, determine if they satisfy a speed-up condition, and generate addresses for each hard disk to output reduced but equivalent LBA range entries, thereby reducing the number of entries and maintaining their length, allowing for faster Trim operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional dividing operations for LBA range entries are performed to support Trim function in RAID systems, then Trim function support is achieved, but formatting process speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the host LBA range entries into multiple disk-specific LBA range entries by dividing the logical block address space according to the RAID configuration. This segmentation allows the Trim function to be supported for individual disks while using an optimized division algorithm that reduces processing overhead compared to traditional methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the processing parameters by implementing a speed-up processing mode that modifies how LBA range entries are divided and transmitted. Instead of performing complete division operations for all entries, the system identifies and processes entries that can be directly mapped or simplified, changing the computational parameters to reduce formatting time while maintaining Trim functionality.
2Speed
If the number of LBA range entries is reduced for speed-up processing, then formatting speed is improved, but the complexity of address generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calculations and preparations during the initialization phase, pre-computing address mapping relationships and storing them for quick retrieval during Trim operations. This preliminary action reduces the computational burden during actual Trim operations, achieving speed improvement without proportionally increasing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary addressing layer that sits between the host LBA space and the physical disk addresses. This intermediary layer handles the complex address generation and mapping logic, shielding the Trim operation from complexity while enabling faster execution through optimized address translation mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A disk managing method includes: receiving a host Frame Information Structure (FIS) including multiple host logical Block Address Range Entries (LBA Range Entries) from a host; determining whether the LBA Range Entries satisfy a speed up processing condition; generating a first and a second addresses corresponding to a first and a second hard disks according to the host LBA Range Entries; and outputting a first and a second hard disk FIS to the first and the second hard disk for management. The number of first and second hard disk LBA Range Entries in the first and the second hard disk FIS are respectively half of the number of the host LBA Range Entries.