Region-Restricted Data Routing to Reduce Cross-Region Query Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data storage systems face challenges in managing data resources with region restrictions, leading to increased latency when querying data resources stored across multiple geographical regions.
Innovation Solution
A server system with a manager function that stores a list of geographical regions where data resources can be stored, based on region-restrictions, and routes query requests to the appropriate storage centers, thereby reducing roundtrip latency by centralizing knowledge of data resource locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If data resources are distributed across multiple storage centres in different geographical regions, then storage capacity and availability are improved, but query latency increases due to the need to fan out queries across all storage centres
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a manager function as an intermediary component that maintains a centralized database of data resource locations and region restrictions. This manager function receives and processes query requests, determining the appropriate storage centres to contact based on the requested data resource and applicable region restrictions. By acting as a mediator between users and distributed storage centres, the system eliminates the need for users to fan out queries across all storage centres, thereby reducing query latency while preserving the benefits of distributed storage capacity.
2Reliability
If region restrictions are enforced for data resources, then data sovereignty and compliance are improved, but system complexity increases due to tracking and managing geographical constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The manager function serves multiple purposes: it maintains the centralized database of data resource locations, tracks region restrictions, processes query requests, determines appropriate routing, and enforces compliance. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional component, the system achieves data sovereignty compliance without proportionally increasing overall system complexity. The manager function's universal role allows it to handle various aspects of region restriction management efficiently.
3Productivity
If a centralized manager function is introduced to route queries, then query efficiency is improved, but the system becomes more complex due to the additional centralized component
Solution Approach 1:
The manager function performs preliminary actions by maintaining an up-to-date database of data resource locations and region restrictions before query requests are processed. When a query is received, the manager function has already prepared the information needed to quickly determine the appropriate storage centre(s) to contact. This preliminary organization and pre-computation of routing information significantly improves query efficiency while keeping the added complexity manageable, as the manager function serves as a simple lookup and routing service rather than a complex processing system.
Data Source
AI summary
A method comprising: storing, in a database, a list of geographical regions in which the party consents to their data being stored; receiving a request to store data of the party, wherein at least one of the data has a region-restriction that restricts the regions in which that data can be stored; determining, based on a respective region-restriction of a respective one of the data, in which of the list of regions the respective data can be stored; storing the data, wherein each respective data is stored in at least one respective storage centre associated with one of the regions according to the determination; storing, in the database, a list comprising a pointer to each respective stored data, wherein the pointer identifies the respective storage centre; receiving a request to retrieve a respective stored data; and using the pointer to route the request to the respective storage centre.