Variable Length Deduplication for Fixed Block File Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing deduplication systems for fixed block size file systems fail to effectively identify and eliminate duplicate data when there are shifts or modifications in the dataset, leading to inefficient storage space usage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a variable length deduplication system that splits data streams into segments of varying lengths, allowing for accurate identification and deduplication of duplicate data even with small shifts or insertions, thereby enhancing storage efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fixed length segments are used for deduplication, then the deduplication process is simple and efficient, but it fails to account for data shifts and modifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the fixed block size data into multiple variable length segments, allowing the system to handle both exact matches and shifted data. By segmenting the fixed blocks into smaller variable-length pieces, the system can identify duplicate content even when there are minor shifts or modifications in the data stream.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from static fixed-length segmentation to dynamic variable-length segmentation. The segment length is adjusted based on the actual data characteristics and shift patterns, enabling the deduplication system to adapt to different data scenarios and maintain high accuracy while preserving efficiency.
2Reliability
If variable length segments are used for deduplication, then data shifts and modifications are accounted for, but the deduplication process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing fixed blocks into variable-length segments, which enables accurate identification of duplicate data even with shifts. This segmentation approach maintains manageable complexity by processing smaller units rather than attempting to handle entire shifted blocks at once.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of segment length from fixed to variable, allowing the system to adjust segment boundaries based on actual data patterns. This parameter change enables the system to account for data shifts while maintaining a systematic approach to deduplication that doesn't excessively increase complexity.
3Ease of operation
If fixed block size is used for storage, then storage management is simplified, but storage space efficiency is reduced due to duplicate data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments fixed-block storage into variable-length deduplication units, allowing the system to maintain simple fixed-block storage management while achieving efficient duplicate detection. The segmentation enables identifying and eliminating duplicates at the segment level without complicating the overall fixed-block storage structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces variable-length parameters for deduplication segments while maintaining fixed-block storage. This dual-parameter approach allows simple fixed-block management to coexist with efficient variable-length duplicate detection, reducing storage space waste without sacrificing operational simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are described for providing variable length deduplication on a fixed block file system. In one embodiment, data comprising a plurality of data items is received. A determination is made if a segment of the data items exists on a storage volume. If the segment of data items does not exist on the storage volume, the segment of data items is stored on the storage volume. If the segment of data items exists on the storage volume, the segment of data items is deduplicated with the storage volume. A logical identifier describing a location of the segment in the data stream and a physical identifier describing a physical location of the segment are determined. The logical identifier, the physical identifier and the length of the segment is stored in a data structure such that the segment of data items can be accessed using the logical identifier.