Storage System Cache Region Allocation for Journal Volumes
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing storage systems face inefficiencies in managing cache regions for journal volumes, leading to increased load on control devices due to frequent allocation and deallocation of cache regions, and inefficient utilization of processor resources during data storage and destaging processes.
Innovation Solution
A storage system with a buffer part formed using part of the physical storage devices, where the control device manages cache memory to store target data elements in allocated cache regions, and optimizes the allocation and deallocation of cache regions by prioritizing storage in regions where transmitted data elements have been stored, reducing unnecessary processing and resource waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a cache region is newly allocated for a volume region of a write destination every when data is stored into a volume, then data can be stored into the cache memory, but a load is applied to a control device due to frequent allocation and deallocation of cache regions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-allocating cache regions for journal volume regions before actual data storage operations. The management device determines in advance which cache regions will be used for journal data, and prepares the allocation before the journal data needs to be stored. This preliminary preparation reduces the need for frequent real-time allocation decisions, thereby reducing the control device load while maintaining data storage efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cache regions are frequently allocated and deallocated to store transmitted journal data, then the cache memory can be utilized, but processor resources are wasted due to unnecessary processing
Solution Approach 1:
The management device implements a self-service mechanism by autonomously determining and managing cache region allocations for journal data without requiring continuous intervention from the control device. The management device monitors cache region usage, identifies when cache regions need to be allocated or deallocated, and executes these operations independently. This self-service approach maintains adaptive cache memory utilization while significantly reducing processor resource waste by eliminating unnecessary control device processing.
3Productivity
If a cache region is allocated for every volume region, then data can be cached effectively, but the device complexity increases due to multiple cache region management operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the management of cache regions for journal data with the existing volume region management framework. Instead of treating cache region allocation as a separate complex operation, the management device integrates cache region determination with volume region management. The management device determines cache regions based on the same volume region information already available, combining multiple management functions into a unified process. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining effective data caching efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage system is provided with a plurality of physical storage devices, a cache memory, a control device that is coupled to the plurality of physical storage devices and the cache memory, and a buffer part. The buffer part is a storage region that is formed by using at least a part of a storage region of the plurality of physical storage devices and that is configured to temporarily store at least one target data element that is to be transmitted to a predetermined target. The control device stores a target data element into a cache region that has been allocated to a buffer region (that is a part of the cache memory and that is a storage region of a write destination of the target data element for the buffer part). The control device transmits the target data element from the cache memory. In the case in which a new target data element is generated, the control device executes a control in such a manner that the new target data element has a high tendency to be stored for a buffer region in which the transmitted target data element has been stored and to which a cache region has been allocated.