Time-Zone Cache Control for Storage Performance
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Solution Overview
Problem
In business systems using storage devices like HDDs, concentrated accesses during specific time zones can lead to performance decreases, and existing methods for mitigating this, such as adding cache memory, may not effectively utilize the cache during critical periods.
Innovation Solution
A storage control device and method that includes a schedule information storing unit, cache processing unit, and preprocessing unit to prioritize cache control for target data in specific time zones, ensuring the cache memory is prepared and utilized effectively by preprocessing it before the critical access time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cache memory is added to handle concentrated accesses, then cache hit rate is improved, but cache memory may be used for other data in non-peak time zones reducing its effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The cache control device dynamically changes cache control parameters based on time zones. During peak access periods, the system prioritizes caching target data to maximize hit rate, while during non-peak periods, it allows other data to occupy cache space. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making cache utilization adaptive to varying workload demands throughout the day.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes cache management parameters (such as replacement policies, cache allocation sizes) according to the time zone. By modifying these parameters dynamically, the cache can optimize for hit rate during peak times while maintaining reasonable utilization during off-peak times, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity.
2Speed
If cache memory is allocated for target data in peak time zones, then access performance is improved, but cache memory is not effectively used during other time zones
Solution Approach 1:
The cache control device performs preliminary actions during non-peak time zones by pre-loading or pre-warming cache spaces with target data in anticipation of peak access periods. This preliminary caching ensures that when peak times arrive, the cache is already optimized for high-speed access to target data, eliminating the need for last-minute cache reconfiguration and reducing the time loss associated with cache preparation.
3Device complexity
If conventional cache control is used without time zone consideration, then cache structure is simple, but cache memory cannot effectively handle concentrated accesses during specific time zones
Solution Approach 1:
The cache control device introduces dynamic time zone-based control mechanisms that adjust cache behavior based on temporal patterns. This dynamic approach enhances performance during concentrated access periods by selectively prioritizing target data in the cache, while maintaining relatively simple cache hardware structure. The complexity is introduced only in the control logic, not in the fundamental cache architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage control device capable of avoiding a decrease in performance related to accesses to a storage device from a start time of a certain time zone is provided. A schedule information storing unit 130 stores schedule information indicating target data in an access to a storage device in a predetermined time zone. The target data is a target of a cache control using a cache memory. A cache processing unit 120 performs the cache control for the access to the target data and an access to data other than the target data in a time zone except the predetermined time zone, and performs the cache control for the access to the target data in the predetermined time zone. A preprocessing unit 140 performs a preprocessing to make the cache memory available for the cache control of the target data by a start time of the predetermined time zone.