Tiered Storage Data Relocation with Dynamic Mode Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current storage systems face challenges in maximizing host I/O performance during page relocation due to increased load on hardware resources, leading to potential bottlenecks and degradation in performance.

Innovation Solution

A tiered storage system with a controller that monitors access loads and determines optimal relocation speeds and modes based on the loaded state of tiers, minimizing performance degradation by adjusting data relocation processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If page relocation speed is increased to maximize host I/O performance, then data relocation time is reduced, but hardware resource load increases causing bottlenecks and performance degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepage relocation timeVSAvoidhost I/O performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of relocation parameters (speed and mode) based on real-time monitoring of storage system load conditions. The controller adapts the relocation strategy by selecting from multiple modes (immediate relocation, delayed relocation, partial relocation) and adjusting speeds according to current system state, thereby optimizing the balance between relocation speed and host I/O performance without causing hardware bottlenecks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes physical parameters of the relocation process by introducing multiple relocation modes (immediate, delayed, partial) and variable relocation speeds. By modifying these parameters dynamically based on system load, the system achieves faster relocation when conditions permit while preventing performance degradation when resources are constrained

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If faster page relocation is implemented, then data movement speed increases, but load on storage system hardware resources increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata relocation speedVSAvoidhardware resource load

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic monitoring of storage system load conditions and adjusts relocation operations accordingly. By intermittently assessing system state and scheduling relocation tasks based on these periodic checks, the system achieves high relocation speeds during low-load periods while reducing relocation activity during high-load periods, thereby managing hardware resource consumption effectively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS9652159B2Relocating data in tiered pool using multiple modes of moving data

Publication Date: 2017.05.16 HITACHI VANTARA LTD

AI summary

An example of an information storage system includes physical storage drives for providing real storage areas to a pool which is tiered into tiers different in performance, and a controller. The controller monitors accesses in a first tier in the pool. The controller determines a loaded state of the first tier based on the accesses to the first tier. The controller holds management information relating loads to the first tier to relocation speeds and/or modes of moving data in data relocation between a second tier in the pool and the first tier. The controller determines at least one of a relocation speed and a mode of moving data in data relocation between the second tier and the first tier based on the determined loaded state of the first tier and the management information.