Smart SSD Continuous Data Protection via On-Board Processing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current large-scale data storage systems face inefficiencies in continuous data protection (CDP) due to high storage bandwidth requirements, increased CPU utilization, and overhead in disk write operations, which are not effectively addressed by traditional methods.
Innovation Solution
Implementing smart solid state drive (SSD) devices with on-board processors and NV memory that integrate continuous data protection processes, such as undo journals or log-structured file systems, to manage data protection within the storage drives, reducing the need for external data movement and CPU overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional CDP methods are used with external storage, then data protection capability is improved, but storage bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the CDP functionality with the SSD device itself by integrating a processor and file system directly in the storage device. This merging eliminates the need for separate external storage systems and reduces storage bandwidth consumption by handling data protection operations locally within the SSD, rather than requiring continuous external data movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The SSD device performs continuous data protection operations autonomously using its integrated processor and file system. The device self-manages data writes, maintains undo journals, and handles recovery operations without requiring external storage systems, thereby reducing the storage bandwidth burden on the main system while maintaining data protection capability.
2Reliability
If traditional CDP methods are used with external processing, then data protection capability is improved, but CPU utilization increases
Solution Approach 1:
The SSD device autonomously performs CDP operations using its integrated processor, eliminating the need for the host CPU to manage continuous data protection. The device self-manages data writes, maintains undo journals, and handles recovery operations independently, significantly reducing CPU utilization on the main system while maintaining robust data protection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the CDP functionality into a separate, self-contained module within the SSD device. By dividing the system into the host system and the autonomous SSD with its own processor and file system, the computational burden of CDP is separated from the main system, reducing CPU utilization while preserving data protection capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If standard disk writes are used, then write operation simplicity is maintained, but data protection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges data protection functionality directly into the SSD device by integrating a file system and processor. This allows the device to automatically perform CDP operations during standard write operations without requiring separate protection mechanisms, thereby maintaining write operation simplicity while significantly improving data protection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The SSD device autonomously handles data protection during write operations using its integrated file system. The device self-manages the creation of undo journals and maintains recovery points automatically during standard writes, preserving the simplicity of write operations while enhancing data protection capability without requiring external intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments for providing continuous data protection in a data processing and storage system with a storage server and storage devices, by providing a solid state disk (SSD) device having a processor and non-volatile memory and an interface to a host device, providing a resident continuous data protection program on the SSD and executed by the processor, recording, for each write command, a memory address offset and a timestamp for the write command, and maintaining one of: an undo journal storing data in a location that is to be overwritten by the write command with the timestamp, or a log-structured file exposing a single large file as a volume to an upper layer of a host software stack for storing periodic snapshot backups of data created by the write command.