Secondary Storage Metadata Analysis for Hierarchical Tiering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Primary storage systems face performance degradation due to the use of computing resources for identifying less frequently accessed files, which reduces overall system performance when these files are backed up to secondary storage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a hierarchical storage tier management plan using a secondary storage system that analyzes metadata to identify files not accessed or modified, allowing the primary storage system to free up resources by migrating these files to a different storage tier, while utilizing the secondary storage system to make tiering decisions and manage computing resources more efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the primary storage system uses an agent to identify less frequently accessed files, then files can be backed up to secondary storage to free up space, but the computing resources of the primary storage system are consumed reducing overall performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the file identification function from the primary storage system and places it in the secondary storage system. The secondary storage system analyzes metadata to identify less frequently accessed files, while the primary storage system only receives instructions to migrate specific files. This separation removes the computational burden from the primary system, freeing its resources while still achieving the goal of freeing storage space through selective file migration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces metadata as an intermediary mechanism. Instead of the primary storage system directly analyzing file access patterns, it stores metadata about file access frequencies. The secondary storage system then queries this metadata to identify files for migration. This intermediary approach allows the primary system to avoid direct computation while still enabling intelligent file selection for backup.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the primary storage system migrates files to secondary storage, then storage utilization is optimized, but additional complexity is introduced in managing tiered storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments storage management into two distinct functions: the primary storage system handles file storage and metadata collection, while the secondary storage system handles file identification and migration decision-making. This segmentation allows each system to focus on its specialized role, reducing the overall management complexity despite the introduction of tiered storage. The clear division of responsibilities simplifies the implementation of storage adaptation.
Data Source
AI summary
A copy of files of a primary storage system are stored at a secondary storage system. The metadata associated with the copy of the files of the primary storage system stored at the secondary storage system are analyzed to determine at least a portion of a hierarchical storage tier management plan for the primary storage system including by identifying one or more files to be migrated from a first tier of storage of the primary storage system to a different storage tier. An implementation of at least a portion of the hierarchical storage tier management plan is initiated.