Storage Array Memory Segmentation for Data Allocation

Solution Overview

Problem

Current distributed storage systems face challenges in optimizing storage capacity and data throughput performance while minimizing costs, particularly in managing storage elements to efficiently handle sequential and non-sequential user data sets.

Innovation Solution

A data storage system with a memory comprising a first addressable storage space using dense allocation and a second addressable storage space using sparse allocation, where user data sets are selectively stored based on their sequential nature, with a controller executing instructions to optimize storage and retrieval operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If dense allocation is used for sequential data sets, then storage efficiency is improved, but flexibility for non-sequential data access deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage efficiencyVSAvoidflexibility for non-sequential data access

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The memory is divided into two distinct addressable spaces: a first addressable space using dense allocation for sequential data sets and a second addressable space using sparse allocation for non-sequential data sets. This segmentation allows each space to be optimized for its specific access pattern, resolving the contradiction between storage efficiency and access flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different allocation strategies are applied to different portions of the memory based on the access patterns of the data sets they store. The first addressable space employs dense allocation to maximize storage efficiency for sequential data, while the second addressable space employs sparse allocation to provide flexibility for non-sequential data access. This local differentiation of quality resolves the contradiction by allowing each region to have the properties needed for its specific use case.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If sparse allocation is used for non-sequential data sets, then access flexibility is improved, but storage efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess flexibilityVSAvoidstorage efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The memory is divided into two distinct addressable spaces: a first addressable space using dense allocation for sequential data sets and a second addressable space using sparse allocation for non-sequential data sets. This segmentation allows each space to be optimized for its specific access pattern, resolving the contradiction between storage efficiency and access flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different allocation strategies are applied to different portions of the memory based on the access patterns of the data sets they store. The first addressable space employs dense allocation to maximize storage efficiency for sequential data, while the second addressable space employs sparse allocation to provide flexibility for non-sequential data access. This local differentiation of quality resolves the contradiction by allowing each region to have the properties needed for its specific use case.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If a single allocation method is used for all data sets, then system complexity is reduced, but overall storage performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidstorage performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The memory is divided into two distinct addressable spaces with different allocation methods, which increases structural complexity but enables optimized performance for different data access patterns. The controller is configured to automatically select the appropriate addressable space based on the access pattern, which manages the complexity while achieving performance benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The memory system provides multiple allocation strategies within a single unified memory structure, allowing it to serve multiple functions: dense allocation for sequential access performance and sparse allocation for random access flexibility. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to adapt to different performance requirements without requiring separate physical memory systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8880794B2Populating a sparsely allocated memory in a storage array

Publication Date: 2014.11.04 SPECTRA LOGIC CORP

AI summary

Apparatus and associated methodology contemplating a data storage system having a memory that includes a first addressable storage space and a second differently addressable storage space. A controller selectively accesses stored instructions that when executed transfer some user data sets with the first addressable storage space in accordance with a dense allocation of the first addressable storage space, and transfer other user data sets with the second addressable storage space in accordance with a sparse allocation of the second addressable storage space that allocates a predefined reserved storage capacity between adjacent stored non-sequential user data sets.