Virtual Disk Storage Management for Cloud VMs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cloud systems face performance degradation due to concentrated load on disk storage when multiple services are run simultaneously, and main memory's limited capacity restricts data storage.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that integrate main memory, disk storage, and cloud storage to appear as a single storage unit, using block ID mapping and storage boundaries to select the appropriate storage area for processing disk access commands, optimizing virtual disk storage based on user requirements and performance information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If main memory is used as virtual disk to improve performance, then access speed is improved, but storage capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple storage devices with different characteristics (high-speed but small-capacity main memory, large-capacity but slower disk storage, and cloud storage) into a unified virtual disk system. This merging allows the system to simultaneously achieve high access speeds for frequently accessed data and large storage capacity for bulk data, resolving the contradiction between speed and capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual disk is segmented into multiple regions that can be dynamically assigned to different physical storage devices based on data access patterns and requirements. Hot data resides in main memory for fast access, while cold data is stored in disk or cloud storage, allowing the system to optimize both speed and capacity through intelligent segmentation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple services are run simultaneously on disk storage, then service diversity is improved, but performance degrades due to concentrated load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage system into multiple virtual disks, each can be independently assigned to different services or applications. This segmentation distributes the concentrated load across multiple storage resources and allows parallel access, thereby maintaining high performance while supporting diverse services simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified virtual disk system provides multi-functional capabilities by serving multiple services with different storage requirements through a single integrated platform. The system can dynamically allocate storage resources to different services based on their needs, achieving both service diversity and maintained performance.
3Device complexity
If separate storage management is used for main memory and disk storage, then storage hierarchy is simplified, but integration performance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a unified storage management system that provides a single interface and management mechanism for both main memory and disk storage resources. This universal management approach maintains simplicity while achieving high integration performance through coordinated resource allocation and data placement across different storage media.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual disk acts as an intermediary layer between the host system and physical storage devices. It provides a unified interface that abstracts the complexity of managing multiple storage types, while simultaneously optimizing data placement and access patterns to achieve high integration performance across main memory and disk storage.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are an apparatus and method for managing memory-based integrated storage. The apparatus includes one or more processors and executable memory for storing at least one program executed by the one or more processors. The at least one program converts data operation tasks in response to a request for access to memory-based integrated storage from a user, a single virtual disk of a virtual storage pool of the memory-based integrated storage converts a disk access command into a command for connecting to a storage backend depending on the data operation tasks, and conversion of the data operation tasks into the command includes target identification indicating which local storage of the memory-based integrated storage is to be used.