SSD Namespace Overprovisioning Using Device-Level Telemetry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solid state drives (SSDs) face issues with endurance and performance due to mismatch between pre-defined endurance groups and actual workloads, leading to suboptimal provisioning and reduced lifespan or capacity.

Innovation Solution

Collect telemetry data during a processing workload to determine actual read/write operations, and dynamically allocate overprovisioning based on this data to optimize namespaces in SSDs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If overprovisioning is allocated to namespaces at creation, then the solid state drive can be provisioned for specific endurance requirements, but the overprovisioning cannot be changed without reprovisioning which requires loss of stored data

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveenduranceVSAvoidprovisioning flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic overprovisioning allocation that allows the system to adjust overprovisioning distribution to namespaces based on actual workload patterns observed during operation. The controller monitors workload characteristics and dynamically modifies overprovisioning allocation without requiring reprovisioning or data loss, thereby making the originally static overprovisioning configuration dynamic and adaptable to changing conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If a user creates a read-intensive endurance group, then the drive is optimized for read operations, but if the actual workload is write-intensive, the solid state drive may not survive the warrantied period

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveread performanceVSAvoiddrive lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the controller continuously monitors actual workload patterns (read vs. write operations) and uses this information to dynamically adjust overprovisioning allocation. When the system detects that a namespace intended for read-intensive operations is actually experiencing write-intensive workload, it automatically increases overprovisioning allocation to that namespace, ensuring the drive can survive the warranted period while maintaining optimal performance for the actual workload pattern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If a user creates a write-intensive endurance group, then the drive is optimized for write operations, but if the actual workload is read-intensive, the drive may include more overprovisioning than needed, and will thus have lesser storage capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewrite enduranceVSAvoidstorage capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the controller continuously monitors actual workload patterns (read vs. write operations) and uses this information to dynamically adjust overprovisioning allocation. When the system detects that a namespace intended for write-intensive operations is actually experiencing read-intensive workload, it automatically decreases overprovisioning allocation to that namespace, thereby increasing the usable storage capacity while maintaining sufficient endurance for the actual read-intensive workload pattern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Ease of manufacture

If overprovisioning is statically allocated at namespace creation, then the provisioning is simple and fast, but it cannot adapt to varying workload patterns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprovisioning simplicityVSAvoidworkload adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static overprovisioning allocation process into a dynamic system that automatically adapts to varying workload patterns. The controller implements continuous monitoring of workload characteristics and dynamically adjusts overprovisioning distribution accordingly. This maintains the initial simplicity of namespace creation while adding adaptive capabilities that respond to actual usage patterns, thereby resolving the contradiction between provisioning simplicity and workload adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250335102A1Systems and methods for maximizing endurance and performance of solid state drives by training with device-level telemetry

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

An information handling system may include a processor, a storage unit communicatively coupled to the processor, and logic configured to, after namespaces are provisioned on the storage unit and before overprovisioning has been allocated to the namespaces: cause a processing workload to be executed that performs write operations to and read operations from the storage unit, collect telemetry information regarding write operations and read operations for each of the namespaces, and based on the telemetry information, allocate respective overprovisioning to each of the namespaces.