Single-Instance Storage Volume Space Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing fragmentation of single-instance-storage volumes due to frequent backups and deletions leads to inefficient data access and storage management, resulting in wasted space and reduced access locality.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that manage data storage within containers based on access locality and retention time, using a compaction module to redistribute data and balance container usage, thereby eliminating gaps and optimizing storage efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If data is stored in multiple containers without compaction, then storage capacity is increased, but access efficiency deteriorates due to fragmentation and gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The storage volume is divided into multiple containers, each managing data segments independently. This segmentation allows parallel access to different data portions while maintaining overall storage efficiency. The compaction module operates on individual containers to reduce fragmentation without affecting the entire storage system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical organization parameter of data by redistributing segments across containers based on retention time and access patterns. This parameter transformation converts fragmented storage into compacted storage, improving access efficiency while preserving storage capacity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If old backups are deleted to free space, then storage reusability is improved, but access locality deteriorates due to created gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The compaction module performs preliminary redistribution of data segments before new data is written. By pre-compactting containers and eliminating gaps in advance, the system ensures that subsequent write operations maintain good access locality without being hindered by fragmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service compaction where the compaction module automatically monitors and reorganizes containers based on their fragmentation levels and access patterns. This autonomous operation maintains both storage reusability and access locality without manual intervention.
3Productivity
If data is redistributed among containers, then storage efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compaction module uses feedback from monitoring data structures that track container fragmentation levels, retention times, and access patterns. This feedback mechanism enables intelligent decision-making about when and how to compact containers, optimizing storage efficiency while avoiding unnecessary compaction operations that would increase complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary data structure that mediates between the storage containers and the compaction module. This intermediary layer simplifies the compaction process by providing a standardized interface for tracking and managing data segments, reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining high storage efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for efficient space management for single-instance-storage volumes is provided. A backup module storing data within a collection of containers according to access locality and retention time of the data, wherein the retention time defines an amount of time the data is stored within the collection of containers before deletion of the data, and the access locality comprises an order in which the data is to be accessed is further provided. A compaction module compacting the stored data by selecting at least two containers among the collection of containers, wherein the selection is performed using a predetermined criteria that includes access locality and retention time of the data is also provided. The compaction module distributes the data among the at least two containers. The compaction criteria creates an imbalance among the containers to create more empty, full, or nearly full containers.