Thin-Thick Provisioning Conversion via Metadata Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data storage systems face inefficiencies when converting thin data objects to thick or vice versa, as this process typically requires resource-intensive activities like disk accesses and data copying, and does not allow for efficient reclamation of reserved storage space.
Innovation Solution
A method that checks available storage space before converting data objects from thin to thick or thick to thin, allowing for in-place conversion and updating metadata to manage storage space effectively, thereby avoiding the creation of new objects and associated resource consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thin data object is converted to a thick data object by creating a new object and copying data, then the data object becomes fully space-guaranteed, but resource consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the provisioning parameter of the data object from thin to thick by modifying metadata attributes. When converting a thin data object to thick, the system updates the provisioning state in the metadata to indicate full space guarantee, without physically copying data or creating new objects. This parameter change approach resolves the contradiction by achieving the space guarantee requirement while avoiding the resource-intensive data copying process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses metadata copying instead of data copying. When converting between thin and thick provisioning states, the system copies and modifies the metadata structure to reflect the new provisioning state, while the actual data remains in place. This metadata-level copying operation is resource-efficient compared to full data object copying, thus resolving the resource consumption issue while maintaining the space guarantee property.
2Quantity of substance
If a thick data object is converted to a thin data object by creating a new object and copying data, then storage space can be reclaimed, but resource consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the provisioning parameter from thick to thin by updating metadata attributes. When converting a thick data object to thin, the system modifies the metadata to indicate on-demand space allocation instead of full reservation. This parameter change enables storage space reclamation without requiring resource-intensive data copying or object creation, as the conversion is achieved through metadata modification alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs metadata copying rather than data copying for the conversion process. The metadata structure is copied and modified to reflect the thin provisioning state, while the underlying data objects remain unchanged. This approach allows storage space to be reclaimed by updating provisioning parameters in metadata, avoiding the high resource consumption associated with physical data movement or recreation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a data object is converted from thin to thick or thick to thin, then the provisioning state changes, but the conversion process consumes valuable system resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves provisioning state conversion through parameter changes in metadata rather than physical data operations. By modifying attributes such as provisioning state flags and space guarantee indicators in the metadata, the system enables flexible transitions between thin and thick provisioning while maintaining high system efficiency. This approach preserves adaptability while avoiding productivity loss from resource-intensive operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses metadata copying as the primary mechanism for conversion. Instead of copying actual data objects, the system copies and modifies the metadata structure to reflect the desired provisioning state. This metadata-level operation provides the needed adaptability for provisioning changes while consuming minimal system resources, thus maintaining high productivity and efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique for managing storage space in a data storage system implements data objects in respective files. In response to an instruction to convert a set of such files from thin to thick or from thick to thin, the data storage system checks whether it has enough available storage space to accommodate the set of files if conversion were to proceed. If so, conversion is performed, and each of the set of files is converted from thin to thick or from thick to thin, in accordance with the instruction.