Storage Device Garbage Collection via Internal Data Move
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Garbage collection operations in storage devices often require significant data input/output operations and network bandwidth, as deleted data needs to be relocated within or between storage zones, consuming resources and bandwidth due to the need for data to be transmitted to and from the host computer.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a data move command that allows storage devices to relocate data from one storage zone to another without transmitting the data through the host computer, enabling the storage device to read from a source range and write to a target range within the same device, thereby reducing the need for external data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If data is transmitted to and from the host computer for garbage collection operations, then the host computer can manage data access, but network bandwidth and host resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device performs garbage collection operations autonomously without requiring data to be transmitted to the host computer. The storage device reads valid data from source zones, determines validity using metadata, and writes it to target zones internally, making the system self-sufficient for maintenance operations and eliminating network bandwidth consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the garbage collection function from the host computer and relocates it to the storage device. By separating this maintenance operation from the host system, the patent eliminates the need for data transmission over the network while the host retains management capabilities through metadata access.
2Quantity of substance
If data is relocated within storage zones for garbage collection, then free space can be reclaimed, but significant data I/O operations are required
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device performs preliminary actions by maintaining metadata that identifies valid data locations and characteristics before garbage collection is needed. This pre-organized information allows the device to quickly determine which data to relocate without extensive scanning or additional I/O operations during the actual garbage collection process.
3Loss of energy
If the storage device performs garbage collection independently, then network bandwidth is preserved, but the storage device must handle data movement internally
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device equips itself with metadata management capabilities and internal data movement functionality to perform garbage collection autonomously. This self-service approach preserves network bandwidth while the storage device handles its own maintenance needs through internal reading, validation, and writing operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Technologies are provided for a storage device data move command. A storage device can be configured to receive a data move (or garbage collection) command and, responsive to receiving the command, move data from one zone of the storage device (or range of storage locations within the storage device) to another zone (or another range of storage locations) within the storage device. The command can comprise a source zone identifier and a target zone identifier. The storage device can read data from a storage zone associated with the source zone identifier and write the data to another storage zone associated with the target zone identifier. The identifiers can include ranges of storage location addresses within the separate storage zones. In at least some embodiments, a host bus adapter can be configured to support the data move (or garbage collection) command for a storage device attached to the host bus adapter.