SSD Mode Control for Read-Only Data Area Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storage systems face inefficiencies in resource utilization and data management, particularly with Solid State Drives (SSDs) reaching write limits, leading to reduced functionality and potential data loss when SSDs become read-only.

Innovation Solution

A control device and method that manage SSD modes, reserve update data areas, and control data storage and retrieval based on SSD modes and update status, allowing data to be stored and read from either the SSD or an update data area, thereby extending the life of SSDs and maintaining data integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If SSDs are continuously written to extend functionality, then data storage capacity is improved, but the write limit of SSDs is reached causing them to become read-only and reducing system reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata storage capacityVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The storage system is segmented into multiple SSDs working in parallel, where individual SSDs can reach their write limits independently without causing system failure. When one SSD becomes read-only, the system continues operating using other SSDs, thus maintaining reliability while preserving total storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the operational state parameter of SSDs from read-write mode to read-only mode based on write cycle counts. This parameter change allows SSDs to continue functioning in a limited capacity rather than failing completely, maintaining system reliability even when write limits are reached.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of stationary object

If SSDs are set to read-only mode to preserve them, then SSD lifespan is extended, but data update capability is lost and resource utilization decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSSD lifespanVSAvoidresource utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

SSDs in the system serve multiple functions: actively written SSDs provide update capability while read-only SSDs provide stable storage capacity. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain high resource utilization by combining both read-write and read-only SSDs, preventing idle resources while extending overall system lifespan.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system ensures continuous useful action by maintaining a mix of active and preserved SSDs. When some SSDs are set to read-only mode, others remain in read-write mode to handle updates, ensuring that data modification capabilities continue without interruption while extending the lifespan of the read-only SSDs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Adaptability or versatility

If all SSDs are kept in read-write mode to maintain update capability, then data modification flexibility is improved, but the risk of data loss increases when failures occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata modification flexibilityVSAvoiddata loss risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies beforehand cushioning by setting certain SSDs to read-only mode in advance, creating a buffer against potential failures. This pre-positioned read-only state acts as a safety cushion, ensuring that even if read-write SSDs fail, data can be recovered from the stable read-only SSDs, reducing data loss risk while maintaining update flexibility through the remaining active SSDs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Device complexity

If update data is stored directly on the original SSD, then storage simplicity is maintained, but the SSD write limit is reached faster reducing its usable life

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage simplicityVSAvoidSSD usable life

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts the update data storage function from the original data storage SSD. By separating update operations into a distinct area or different SSD, the original SSD's write cycles are preserved, extending its usable life while maintaining storage simplicity through logical separation rather than physical complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10452291B2Control device, storage device and control method

Publication Date: 2019.10.22 NEC CORP

AI summary

A control device of the present invention includes a management unit configured to manage each mode of a plurality of SSDs (Solid State Drives) included in a storage, an area reservation unit configured to reserve an update data area in a free space of the SSDs, the mode of the SSDs being in readable/writable mode, a saving unit configured to control writing to the storage in such a way that data relating to a request for writing to one of the SSDs in read-only mode is stored in the update data area, and a read control unit configured to control whether the data is read from the SSD in the read-only mode or the update data area based on the mode of the SSD and presence/absence of update for the data.