Storage Controller Prefetching Data Access Latency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storage systems face latency issues due to the use of different types of storage devices with varying access times, necessitating a method to manage data retrieval efficiently across these devices.

Innovation Solution

A storage system comprising a lower-latency primary storage medium and a higher-latency secondary storage medium, managed by a controller that determines data location, generates signals, and selects prefetching procedures based on criteria such as success metrics and computing resource availability, using either non-ML or ML-based algorithms to optimize data access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a storage system uses multiple storage devices with different access latencies, then storage capacity and cost efficiency are improved, but data access latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoiddata access latency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by prefetching data from the second storage medium to the first storage medium before it is actually needed. The controller identifies data that is likely to be accessed soon based on access patterns and proactively loads it into the faster first storage medium, thereby reducing future access latency while maintaining the benefits of using slower, cheaper storage for capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the system continuously monitors and manages data prefetching, then data access performance is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata access performanceVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by having the controller automatically monitor access patterns, identify prefetch candidates, and manage data movement between storage media without external intervention. The controller self-adjusts prefetching behavior based on observed access patterns and system state, reducing the need for complex external management while maintaining high data access performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4421609A1Systems and methods for managing a storage system
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4421609A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4421609A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4421609A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure describe a storage system comprising a first storage medium (120a), a second storage medium (120b), and a controller (118) configured to communicate with the first storage medium (120a) and the second storage medium (120b). The controller (118) is configured to receive a first request generated by a process associated with first data; determine whether the first data is stored in the first storage medium (120a); generate a signal based on the controller (118) being configured to determine; identify a criterion based on the signal; select, based on the criterion, at least one of a first procedure or a second procedure for loading second data from the second storage medium (120b) to the first storage medium (120a); and output the second data based on a second request generated by the process for the second data.