Virtual Storage Replication With Centralized Write Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional storage systems face inefficiencies due to redundant write operations and lack of centralized control over storage processes, leading to reduced reliability and increased wear on storage devices.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a direct-mapped flash storage system where higher-level processes manage data operations without lower-level storage controllers, utilizing non-volatile RAM for quick data buffering and storage controllers that offload device management, and employing dual storage array controllers for failover and distributed management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional storage systems use lower-level storage controllers to manage data operations, then device management is distributed, but redundant write operations occur and storage device wear increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage system reliabilityVSAvoidredundant writes and device wear

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the data management functionality from lower-level storage controllers and consolidates it into higher-level processes. The storage controllers are reduced to performing only basic I/O operations (read/write), while higher-level processes handle data placement, movement, and management decisions. This separation eliminates redundant write operations caused by distributed control and reduces storage device wear by optimizing write operations centrally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If higher-level processes directly manage data operations without storage controllers, then redundant writes are minimized, but control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage system reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the storage control architecture into distinct layers: higher-level processes handle data management decisions (placement, movement, replication), while storage controllers handle execution of basic I/O operations. This segmentation allows each component to focus on specific tasks, reducing overall system complexity despite the introduction of higher-level management processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Speed

If non-volatile RAM is used for data buffering, then data access speed improves, but memory capacity is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata access speedVSAvoidbuffering capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges non-volatile RAM and flash storage into a unified storage hierarchy managed by higher-level processes. The non-volatile RAM provides fast buffering for active data, while flash storage provides additional capacity for less frequently accessed data. The unified management allows seamless data placement between the two media types, combining the speed benefits of non-volatile RAM with the capacity of flash storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12591397B2Constructing virtual storage systems from a variety of components

Publication Date: 2026.03.31 PURE STORAGE INC

AI summary

Replication between virtual storage systems includes: constructing a virtual storage system in which the one or more virtual storage devices are coupled to each of one or more virtual storage controllers and replicating a dataset from the virtual storage system to another virtual storage system, where at least one of the virtual storage systems is an on-premises virtual storage system utilizing on-premises physical storage resources.