Storage Reclamation via Access Window Notifications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Garbage collection of data objects in large storage environments faces challenges due to the scale and complexity of data, as well as limited knowledge about consumer needs and data usage, leading to inefficient storage resource management.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that aggregates access data, determines future storage costs, and identifies data objects with expired access windows to reclaim storage space by notifying users and generating deletion instructions upon expiration, optimizing storage reclamation based on cost-benefit analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data objects are retained in storage environment, then data availability for future access is improved, but storage costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of access patterns and determines access windows before the actual access occurs. By analyzing historical access data and predicting future access needs, the system proactively identifies data objects that are unlikely to be accessed within their access windows, preparing them for deletion. This preliminary action allows the system to reclaim storage space in advance while maintaining data availability during the access window period.
2Quantity of substance
If storage space is reclaimed by deleting data objects, then storage costs are reduced, but risk of deleting needed data increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where user responses to deletion notifications are captured and used to refine future deletion decisions. When users indicate that data should not be deleted, this feedback is fed back into the system to adjust access window calculations and deletion criteria. This continuous feedback loop improves the accuracy of predicting which data can be safely deleted, reducing the risk of deleting needed data while maintaining effective storage reclamation.
3Measurement precision
If automated deletion notifications are sent to users, then user feedback for accurate deletion decisions is obtained, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a self-service notification mechanism where users can independently review deletion candidates and provide feedback through a simplified interface. The notification system automatically presents data objects scheduled for deletion along with their access window expiration dates, allowing users to make informed decisions without complex manual processes. This self-service approach obtains necessary user feedback while keeping the system relatively simple by leveraging automated workflows and user-friendly interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for reclaiming storage space in a storage environment. In one aspect, the method includes actions of aggregating data that is indicative of access to one or more data objects, determining a future storage cost associated with each of a plurality of data objects, determining an access window for each of the plurality of data objects, identifying a data object based on (i) the future storage cost that satisfies a predetermined threshold and (ii) a data object access window, providing a notification to a user device that requests feedback from a user indicating whether the data object can be deleted, and in response to receiving data that indicates that the data object can be deleted, generating an instruction to cause deletion of the data object upon the expiration of the access window.