Region Management Apparatus for Flexible Storage Partitioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing file system management methods, such as the buddy system, are inefficient in utilizing storage areas of non-power-of-2 sizes, leading to wasted memory space and ineffective allocation and release of files and memory areas.
Innovation Solution
A multi-partition table system is introduced, where regions are partitioned into master partitions of varying sizes, allowing for efficient allocation and management of storage areas by expressing region sizes as a product of differing powers of 2, and allocating files across contiguous partitions at differing partition levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the buddy system is used to manage storage allocation, then allocation and release of files and memory areas is simplified, but storage areas of non-power-of-2 sizes cannot be effectively utilized, leading to wasted memory space
Solution Approach 1:
The storage area is divided into multiple partitions with different sizes (power-of-2 sizes). The partition management table stores allocation information for each partition, enabling the system to select appropriate partitions based on file size requirements. This segmentation allows efficient utilization of storage spaces that are not power-of-2 sizes by combining multiple partitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a multi-dimensional partitioning approach where storage is organized into hierarchical levels (first partitioning into large partitions, then further partitioning into smaller units). This multi-level partitioning structure enables flexible allocation by selecting from different partition levels, resolving the contradiction between simplified management and effective space utilization.
2Adaptability or versatility
If file systems like FAT or NTFS are used to manage data, then data storage is enabled, but allocation management becomes complicated due to unique allocation methods for each file system
Solution Approach 1:
The partition management table acts as an intermediary layer between the storage device and file systems. It provides a unified allocation management interface that handles partition selection and tracking, while file systems can operate independently using their own allocation methods within allocated partitions. This mediator approach enables multiple file systems to coexist without complicating overall allocation management.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage area is segmented into multiple independent partitions, each of which can be assigned to different file systems. This segmentation isolates the allocation management of each file system to its specific partition, preventing complexity from propagating across the entire storage device while maintaining versatility in supporting multiple file systems.
3Ease of operation
If storage area is allocated in units of power of 2 as in the buddy system, then allocation management is simplified, but areas left over from power-of-2 size allocation cannot be utilized effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables merging of multiple partitions with different sizes to fulfill allocation requests. When a file requires more space than a single partition provides, the system can allocate multiple partitions and combine them. This merging capability allows effective utilization of storage spaces that are not power-of-2 sizes while maintaining the simplicity of power-of-2 partition management.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition allocation system is dynamic, allowing partitions to be allocated, released, and re-allocated based on changing storage requirements. The partition management table dynamically tracks allocation status, enabling flexible reuse of previously allocated partitions and efficient filling of storage gaps that would otherwise be wasted in static power-of-2 allocation systems.
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a technology that, regardless of the capacity of a storage device, enables its areas to be flexibly partitioned and managed, and, when a file is allocated to a region also, can also use its areas effectively by means of an efficient method. When a region size of a storage device is expressed as the sum of mutually differing power-of-2 values, and areas whose size is one of the power-of-2 sizes configuring that sum are taken to be master partitions, to partition the areas into partitions each of whose size is the size made by successively dividing each master partition in half and to generate an allocation table holding allocation information expressing the allocation status of each of the files that have partitions with each of the sizes included in the master partitions. To manage a region based on the allocation information stored in the allocation table.