Storage Mediator Switching for Synchronous Replication Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional storage systems face inefficiencies in data management and reliability due to redundant write operations and lack of centralized control over storage processes, leading to increased latency and reduced reliability.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a direct-mapped flash storage system where the operating system directly addresses data blocks without translation by storage controllers, offloading device management tasks, and utilizing non-volatile RAM for quick data buffering and proactive data rebuilding across storage nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If storage controllers translate and manage data blocks, then data management control is centralized, but latency increases and reliability reduces due to redundant write operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data translation function from storage controllers and places it directly in the operating system. The OS now directly addresses flash storage data blocks without controller intervention, eliminating redundant write operations through controllers and reducing latency while improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces NVRAM as an intermediary buffering layer between the OS and flash storage. This mediator enables proactive data rebuilding and provides quick data buffering, reducing the need for redundant writes to flash storage while maintaining data integrity
2Productivity
If storage controllers manage device operations, then device control is centralized, but device complexity increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts device management tasks from storage controllers and transfers them to the operating system. The OS directly manages flash storage data blocks, eliminating the need for complex controller translation layers and improving storage operations efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the flash storage system to serve itself through direct OS addressing. The OS directly reads and writes data blocks without controller mediation, and NVRAM automatically provides buffering and proactive rebuilding, reducing the need for complex controller management
Data Source
AI summary
A storage system switching mediators within a storage system synchronously replicating data, where the switching between mediators includes determining that availability of a first mediator service has decreased to a particular level, wherein the first mediator service can provide mediation services at the particular level to a plurality of storage systems and is external to the plurality of storage systems; and based on the determination, switching from use of the first mediator service to use of a second mediator service that is external to the plurality of storage systems.