Virtual Storage Free Space Calculation via Unified Allocation Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
In computing systems with thin provisioned virtual storage, accurately calculating free space across multiple storage entities is challenging due to the lack of shared space tracking between entities, leading to potential over-allocation and inefficient storage utilization.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for determining virtual storage free space management using a free space API, which analyzes storage slabs allocated with data and calculates data and storage allocation values to determine unused space within virtual and physical storage entities, enabling accurate free space determination through bitmaps and API interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If thin provisioning is used to allocate storage capacity on demand, then storage utilization efficiency is improved, but accurate calculation of free space across multiple storage entities becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the free space tracking of multiple virtual storage entities into a unified calculation by aggregating allocated space across all entities. The system combines individual entity allocation data with total physical storage capacity to compute an accurate global free space value, resolving the measurement inaccuracy that arises from isolated tracking approaches.
2Ease of operation
If each thin provisioned storage entity tracks its own free space independently, then entity-level free space tracking is simple, but the free space does not reflect the actual free space of physical storage
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously aggregating allocation information from individual storage entities and comparing it against total physical storage capacity. This feedback loop enables the calculation of accurate global free space while maintaining the simplicity of individual entity tracking, as each entity continues to report its own allocation status independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal free space calculation mechanism that serves both individual entity tracking and global storage pool monitoring. The same aggregation system that tracks individual entity allocations also computes the overall physical storage free space, providing multi-functionality that resolves the contradiction between simple entity-level tracking and accurate global reflection.
3Ease of manufacture
If larger than necessary partition sizes are chosen initially, then partition rearrangement difficulty is reduced, but wasted space on storage device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling flexible reallocation of storage space through the thin provisioning system. Instead of fixed partition sizes that waste space, the system dynamically adjusts allocations based on actual usage needs while maintaining ease of initial setup. The accurate free space calculation enables dynamic optimization without the complexity of manual partition rearrangement.
Data Source
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AI summary
Virtual storage free space management techniques may calculate a data allocation value of a virtual storage entity based on a number of storage slabs allocated with data. The virtual storage free space management techniques may further analyze a physical storage entity to determine a storage allocation value associated with the physical storage entity. The storage allocation value may be obtained by summing the storage amount in bytes associated with each of the storage slabs of the physical storage entity that is allocated to one or more virtual storage entities. A free space value associated with the virtual storage entity may be determined based on the storage allocation value and the data allocation value.