Storage Controller Management Information Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data storage devices face performance deterioration and increased storage time due to the growing size of management information, which requires all management information to be stored in volatile memory, leading to overhead and potential data loss if interrupted during storage.
Innovation Solution
A controller that divides management information into multiple pieces, stores each piece in a storage medium, and updates it while processing data, creating a log for updates, allowing for efficient storage and restoration of management information, even if interrupted, by using a volatile management memory and a log storing unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all management information is stored in volatile memory, then the data storage device can function properly, but the device complexity and overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The management information is divided into multiple pieces and stored in different locations (volatile memory and storage medium), reducing the burden on single memory component and simplifying overall system management
Solution Approach 2:
A management information storing unit acts as an intermediary to handle the storage and retrieval of management information pieces, abstracting the complexity from the main controller
2Reliability
If all management information is stored in volatile memory, then data loss is prevented, but the loss of time increases due to storage overhead
Solution Approach 1:
Management information is segmented into multiple pieces that can be stored incrementally, allowing parallel processing and reducing total storage time
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by storing management information pieces in the storage medium during idle periods or in parallel with data processing, so that restoration can occur quickly when needed
3Quantity of substance
If management information is stored in the storage medium, then the storage capacity is utilized, but the productivity decreases due to interruption of commands
Solution Approach 1:
The management information storage is divided into multiple independent pieces that can be stored separately, allowing the system to process commands between storage operations and maintain throughput
Solution Approach 2:
The system stores management information in partial increments rather than requiring complete storage before proceeding, allowing command processing to continue with existing information
4Device complexity
If management information is stored in the storage medium, then the volatile memory size requirement is reduced, but the reliability decreases due to potential interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary storage of management information pieces in the storage medium before potential failures occur, ensuring data persistence without requiring large volatile memory
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms through log storing and restoring units that track and verify the integrity of stored management information pieces, detecting and correcting potential issues
Data Source
AI summary
A volatile management memory stores management information for managing a use state of a storage medium. A management information storing unit divides the management information into plural division pieces and individually stores them in the storage medium. A main controller receives a command from a host device while the division pieces are being stored, performs data processing for the storage medium in response to the command between each division piece is stored, updates the management information divided into the division pieces according to the data processing content, and creates a log representing an update content of the management information. A log storing unit stores the log in the storage medium. A restoring unit reads the division pieces stored in the storage medium to the management memory as the management information, updates the management information according to the log stored in the storage medium, and restores the updated management information.