Distributed Replica De-Duplication for Content Addressable Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data storage systems in distributed clusters face inefficiencies in managing redundant replicas, leading to increased storage needs and network latency due to the lack of effective de-duplication mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an asynchronous distributed de-duplication algorithm within a distributed multi-master data replication system that uses a global index with content handles to identify and remove redundant replicas while maintaining availability and consistency, ensuring only one live replica is maintained across the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is replicated across multiple geographical locations to increase availability and reduce network latency, then system availability and access speed are improved, but storage requirements and network bandwidth consumption increase due to redundant replicas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges de-duplication functionality into the distributed replication system by having each storage cluster scan its local index for objects marked for deletion and coordinate with other clusters to remove redundant replicas. This combines replication and de-duplication operations into a unified asynchronous process, reducing total storage requirements while maintaining availability across geographical locations.
2Reliability
If redundant replicas are maintained across distributed clusters, then data availability is improved, but network bandwidth consumption increases due to continuous synchronization of duplicate data
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary de-duplication actions by scanning indices and identifying redundant replicas before they consume network bandwidth. Storage clusters proactively remove duplicates by coordinating through index updates, preventing unnecessary data synchronization and reducing network bandwidth consumption while maintaining availability.
3Manufacturing precision
If synchronous de-duplication is implemented across distributed clusters, then data consistency is improved, but system latency and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic de-duplication where each storage cluster independently scans its local index and processes deletions asynchronously. The system adapts to varying workloads by allowing clusters to operate at different speeds, maintaining data consistency through index replication without imposing synchronous coordination overhead, thereby reducing system latency.
4Quantity of substance
If manual de-duplication processes are used in distributed storage systems, then storage efficiency is improved, but operational complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service de-duplication where each storage cluster autonomously scans its local index, identifies redundant replicas, and coordinates deletions with other clusters. The asynchronous architecture allows clusters to independently manage their own de-duplication processes without centralized coordination, reducing operational complexity while improving storage efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is performed by a device of a group of devices in a distributed data replication system. The method includes storing an index of objects in the distributed data replication system, the index being replicated while the objects are stored locally by the plurality of devices in the distributed data replication system. The method also includes conducting a scan of at least a portion of the index and identifying a redundant replica(s) of the at least one of the objects based on the scan of the index. The method further includes de-duplicating the redundant replica(s), and updating the index to reflect the status of the redundant replica.