Virtual Storage Controller Cache Interception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional computing systems face performance disparities due to increased data storage capacity without proportional increases in cache capacity, leading to slower data storage and access speeds, particularly with mechanical disk systems, which create latency and reduce cache hit ratios.
Innovation Solution
A method that intercepts read and write requests to cache frequently accessed data in a fast RAM buffer or non-volatile solid state cache, minimizing direct access to disk storage, using a virtual representation of a data storage controller and a filter driver to reserve memory for expanded caching, allowing for performance acceleration without significant cost additions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If storage capacity is increased, then data storage capability is improved, but cache hit ratio deteriorates due to insufficient cache capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is segmented into multiple tiers: a small high-speed cache tier (RAM buffer) for frequently accessed data, a mid-tier of solid state storage, and a large capacity mechanical storage tier. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high cache hit ratio for critical data while providing extensive storage capacity through the mechanical drives, resolving the contradiction between storage capacity and cache performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical storage architecture that adds a temporal dimension to data access patterns. By implementing a filter driver that monitors and prioritizes data access requests over time, the system can dynamically allocate cache resources to the most frequently accessed data, effectively increasing cache utilization without physical expansion.
2Quantity of substance
If mechanical disk systems are used, then storage capacity is improved, but data access speed deteriorates due to latency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces solid state storage as an intermediary layer between the mechanical disks and the RAM buffer. This intermediary tier provides faster access speeds than mechanical disks while maintaining high capacity, acting as a buffer that reduces the impact of mechanical disk latency on overall system performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter driver performs preliminary action by proactively identifying and caching frequently accessed data in the RAM buffer before it is requested by applications. This predictive caching reduces the need for slow mechanical disk reads, improving data access speed while maintaining storage capacity.
3Speed
If RAM buffer size is increased, then data access speed is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating storage characteristics across different tiers: the RAM buffer provides high-speed access for a small portion of data, while mechanical disks provide high capacity for the majority of data. This localized optimization of quality (speed) where needed most resolves the contradiction between performance and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter driver creates a virtual copy of the storage controller functionality, intercepting and prioritizing data requests. This software-based copying approach allows the system to emulate enhanced performance characteristics without requiring proportional increases in physical RAM, reducing cost while maintaining speed improvements.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for improving the performance of a computerized data storage and access system includes the steps (a) providing a virtual representation of an existing data storage controller accessible to a computing system, (b) providing a configuration interface executable by an operator of the computing system, (c) using the configuration interface, reserving an amount available memory for dedicated use as a data cache and or additional storage space for storing data written to one or more disk drives representing data storage disks of the data storage and access system, (d) intercepting read and write requests to the data storage controller from the central processing unit of the computing system via the virtual representation of the controller, and (e) writing data into the reserved memory or serving data from the reserved memory in lieu of accessing a data storage disk represented by the one or more disk drives.