Virtual Disk Alignment Access via Translation Delta
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Solution Overview
Problem
In virtualized storage environments, the misalignment between virtual disk blocks and persistent storage blocks leads to inefficiencies, requiring multiple disk accesses for a single read or write operation, which increases processing disruptions and resource allocation challenges.
Innovation Solution
A method for optimizing virtual block disk alignment by dynamically relocating virtual disk blocks to align with persistent storage blocks using an alignment delta, which acts as a translation mechanism, thereby minimizing multiple disk accesses and optimizing read/write operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If virtual disk blocks are not aligned with persistent storage blocks, then the virtualization system can flexibly allocate storage resources to multiple virtual machines, but multiple disk accesses are required for a single read or write operation, reducing system performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an alignment layer as an intermediary component between the virtual disk and persistent storage device. This alignment layer contains alignment metadata that maps virtual disk block addresses to corresponding persistent storage block addresses, enabling the system to maintain flexible virtual machine storage allocation while translating addresses to achieve proper alignment and avoid multiple disk accesses
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the addressing parameters by maintaining an alignment delta value that represents the offset between virtual disk block addresses and persistent storage block addresses. This parameter is updated as data is migrated between storage devices, allowing the system to adapt to changing storage configurations while maintaining optimal alignment
2Productivity
If data is migrated between persistent storage devices to optimize alignment, then disk access efficiency is improved, but the complexity of managing alignment metadata and migration processes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary alignment by pre-calculating and storing the alignment delta value in the alignment metadata before data migration occurs. This allows the system to proactively prepare alignment information, reducing the complexity of real-time alignment calculations during data access operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by monitoring alignment status and triggering migration processes when misalignment is detected. The alignment metadata is continuously updated based on migration operations, creating a closed-loop system that automatically maintains optimal alignment while adapting to storage changes
3Productivity
If the alignment delta is frequently updated to maintain optimal alignment, then storage efficiency is improved, but the overhead of tracking and updating alignment metadata increases processing disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic alignment updates by monitoring migration operations and updating the alignment delta value at appropriate intervals rather than continuously. This periodic approach maintains storage efficiency while reducing the frequency of metadata update operations, thereby minimizing processing disruptions
Solution Approach 2:
The system updates alignment metadata selectively based on the significance of migration operations. Not every migration triggers an alignment delta update - only those migrations that significantly impact alignment efficiency are processed, reducing unnecessary overhead while maintaining adequate alignment
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments relate to a virtualized storage environment with one or more virtual machines operating on a host and sharing host resources. Each virtual machine has a virtual disk in communication with a persistent storage device. The virtual machine(s) may be misaligned with the persistent storage device so that a virtual block address does not correspond with a persistent storage block address. A relationship between the virtual disk(s) and the persistent storage device is established, and more specifically, an alignment delta between the devices is established. The delta is employed to translate the virtual address to the persistent address so that the virtual and persistent storage blocks are aligned to satisfy a read or write operation.