Multi-Device Storage Data Lifetime Management via Segmented Controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing data lifetime operations in multi-device storage systems is inefficient due to increased memory and computational resource requirements, and complex relationships between storage devices complicate global data management, affecting system scalability.
Innovation Solution
A controller determines an initial set of memory block candidates by receiving information from multiple storage devices, identifies related blocks, and selects a target group based on usage information to perform data lifetime operations, optimizing resource usage and scalability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If global data lifetime management is implemented across multiple storage devices, then data management comprehensiveness is improved, but memory and computational resource requirements increase linearly with system size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the multi-device storage system into individual device units, where each device independently performs data lifetime management operations on its own memory blocks. This segmentation eliminates the need for centralized global management, reducing memory and computational resource requirements while maintaining comprehensive data management across all devices through autonomous operation at each device level.
2Reliability
If global data lifetime management is implemented across multiple storage devices, then data management comprehensiveness is improved, but system scalability is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting data lifetime management into independent device-level operations, the system achieves scalability because each device operates autonomously without requiring coordination with other devices. New devices can be added to the storage system without increasing the computational or memory burden on existing devices or a central controller, enabling linear scalability while maintaining comprehensive management.
Solution Approach 2:
Each storage device performs self-service data lifetime management operations independently, identifying and managing its own candidate memory blocks without requiring external intervention. This self-service approach eliminates the need for centralized coordination mechanisms, reducing system complexity and enabling easier scalability as devices can be added or removed without affecting the management architecture of other devices.
3Measurement precision
If complex relationships between storage devices are accounted for in global management, then data management accuracy is improved, but device complexity and management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the management of complex device relationships into independent device-level decisions, where each device autonomously identifies its own candidate blocks based on local criteria. This eliminates the need for a centralized system to track and manage complex inter-device relationships, reducing management overhead and device complexity while maintaining accurate data lifetime management through localized autonomous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a selection mechanism that acts as an intermediary between individual device candidate identification and final target group selection. This intermediary selects target groups from among the identified candidate blocks based on system-wide objectives, coordinating management actions across devices without requiring direct tracking of complex inter-device relationships, thereby reducing overhead while maintaining management accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A main controller in a data storage system having multiple storage devices determines an initial set of memory block candidates for data lifetime operations by receiving from each of a plurality of the storage devices information identifying one or more potential memory block candidates, with respective received memory blocks having been classified by respective storage devices as potential candidates. The main controller determines a set of related memory blocks, and, based on received usage information for the candidate memory blocks and the related memory blocks, selects a target group of memory blocks and initiates performance of the data lifetime operations on the memory blocks of the selected target group.