Storage Control Information Extraction for Consistent Array Performance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Enterprise storage systems experience inconsistent performance due to storage devices being tasked with device management operations such as garbage collection, which utilize finite resources at varying times, leading to user experience fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
Dynamically managing control information in storage devices by querying and issuing requests to store control information using an array management module, which includes querying the storage device for the location of control information and issuing requests to retrieve it based on the location, thereby optimizing resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If storage devices perform device management operations such as garbage collection, then device functionality is maintained, but storage system performance becomes inconsistent due to finite resources being utilized at varying times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts control information from storage devices and stores it separately in host memory. This separation allows the storage device to perform management operations without continuously accessing control information, thereby maintaining device functionality while improving performance consistency by eliminating resource contention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an array management module as an intermediary that manages control information in host memory and coordinates between the host system and storage devices. This intermediary handles resource allocation and management operations, preventing direct conflicts between garbage collection and data operations, thus maintaining both device functionality and performance consistency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If control information is stored in storage devices, then device autonomy is maintained, but resource utilization fluctuates during device management operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts control information from storage devices and places it in host memory, reducing the storage device's resource utilization during management operations. The storage device retains autonomy by still being able to query and update control information when needed, while experiencing reduced resource fluctuations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic management of control information location and access. The array management module dynamically determines when and where to store control information based on system conditions, allowing the system to adapt between device autonomy and resource efficiency based on operational needs.
3Measurement precision
If storage devices continuously access control information for management operations, then accurate device state tracking is maintained, but user experience performance becomes inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts control information from storage devices to host memory, allowing accurate device state tracking to be maintained through the array management module's ability to query and update control information. User experience performance improves because storage devices don't need to continuously access control information, reducing resource contention and improving data operation performance.
Data Source
AI summary
Dynamically managing control information in a storage device, including: querying, by an array management module executing on a storage array controller, the storage device for a location of control information for the storage device, the control information describing the state of one or more memory blocks in the storage device; and issuing, by the array management module in dependence upon the location of the control information for the storage device, a request to retrieve the control information for the storage device.