Unified File Namespace for HPC Data Access Arbitration

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Solution Overview

Problem

High performance computing systems face inefficiencies in data storage, transfer, and processing due to the large amounts of data involved, leading to performance lag and inefficient use of network resources, particularly in managing sensitive and private information across disparate file systems.

Innovation Solution

A data processing controller that arbitrates between local and remote computing clusters, storing data in a standardized format and managing access through a centralized server, allowing access from various file systems and ensuring secure processing of sensitive data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If data is stored and managed across multiple disparate file systems in high performance computing systems, then data accessibility and processing capability are improved, but network resource efficiency deteriorates and performance lag increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accessibilityVSAvoidnetwork resource efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple disparate file systems into a unified virtual file system through a virtualization layer. This virtualization layer presents a consistent interface to clients while abstracting the underlying physical storage infrastructure, thereby improving network resource efficiency by eliminating redundant data transfers and optimizations across different file systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a virtualization layer as an intermediary between clients and physical storage systems. This intermediary manages data caching, replication, and access routing to optimize network resource utilization while maintaining seamless access to data across distributed storage locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If centralized data storage is implemented to improve data processing efficiency, then network resource utilization is optimized, but data access complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata processing efficiencyVSAvoiddata access complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The virtualization layer serves as an intermediary that simplifies data access by providing a unified interface. Clients interact with data through standardized protocols without needing to understand the complex underlying storage architecture, including data replication and caching mechanisms managed automatically by the virtualization layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The virtual file system provides universal access to data regardless of its physical location or the specific storage system it resides in. This multi-functional approach allows the same access interface to work across different storage infrastructures, reducing the complexity burden on clients.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If manual arbitration of data processing operations is performed, then data security and privacy control are improved, but processing time and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata securityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The virtualization layer implements self-service data processing arbitration by automatically determining optimal data handling based on predefined policies. The system autonomously manages data replication, caching decisions, and access routing without requiring manual intervention, thereby reducing processing time while maintaining security through policy-based control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing data handling policies and caching strategies. These pre-configured rules enable the virtualization layer to make rapid, automated decisions about data processing without manual arbitration, reducing both processing time and operational complexity while maintaining security standards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20260023717A1Single namespace for high performance computing system
Publication Date: 2026.01.22 GUARDANT HEALTH INC
  • US20260023717A1 patent drawing
  • US20260023717A1 patent drawing
  • US20260023717A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A data processing architecture controls data processing arbitration in a high performance computing system that includes one or more premises. Individual premises can include one or more server computers executing an instance of a local file system and including one or more temporary data storage devices. Individual instances of the local file system can access files stored in objects of a primary data store. Individual objects of the primary data store can be accessed using a common identifier indicating a storage location of the individual objects in the primary data store.