Dynamically adapting the fault tolerance and performance characteristics of a raid-based storage system by merging and splitting raid groups
First Claim
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1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
- receiving an indication of a change to at least one of data characteristics and system characteristics of a storage system, the change comprising a change in data criticality, wherein data criticality reflects an importance of data; and
in response to the change, dynamically reconfiguring Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks (RAID) groups of the storage system by reorganizing storage devices in the RAID groups, wherein dynamically reconfiguring the RAID groups comprises;
if the indication is an increase in data criticality, dynamically merging a first RAID group with a second RAID group to form a merged RAID group that includes the storage devices of the first RAID group and of the second RAID group; and
if the indication is a decrease in data criticality, dynamically splitting one of the RAID groups into one or more split RAID groups, the one or more split RAID groups including the storage devices of the one of the RAID groups.
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Abstract
Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks (RAID) groups in a storage system are dynamically reconfigured by merging and splitting the RAID groups. When an indication of a change to data or system characteristics is received, disks in the RAID groups of the storage system can be reorganized to adapt to the change.
39 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
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receiving an indication of a change to at least one of data characteristics and system characteristics of a storage system, the change comprising a change in data criticality, wherein data criticality reflects an importance of data; and in response to the change, dynamically reconfiguring Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks (RAID) groups of the storage system by reorganizing storage devices in the RAID groups, wherein dynamically reconfiguring the RAID groups comprises; if the indication is an increase in data criticality, dynamically merging a first RAID group with a second RAID group to form a merged RAID group that includes the storage devices of the first RAID group and of the second RAID group; and if the indication is a decrease in data criticality, dynamically splitting one of the RAID groups into one or more split RAID groups, the one or more split RAID groups including the storage devices of the one of the RAID groups. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A computer-implemented method comprising:
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receiving an indication of a change in data criticality in a storage system, wherein data criticality reflects an importance of data; reconfiguring Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks (RAID) groups of the storage system by reorganizing storage devices in the RAID groups, wherein reconfiguring the RAID groups comprises; if the indication is an increase in data criticality, dynamically merging a first RAID group with a second RAID group to form a merged RAID group that includes the storage devices of the first RAID group and of the second RAID group; and if the indication is a decrease in data criticality, dynamically splitting one of the RAID groups into one or more split RAID groups, the one or more split RAID groups including the storage devices of the one of the RAID groups; and performing I/O operations to the RAID groups concurrently with the reconfiguring. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A storage system comprising:
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a plurality of storage devices, which include data storage devices to store data and parity storage devices to store parity bits of the data; and a storage server coupled to the plurality of storage devices, the storage server to; receive an indication of a change to at least one of data characteristics and system characteristics of a storage system, the change comprising a change in data criticality, wherein data criticality reflects an importance of data; and in response to the change, dynamically reconfigure Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks (RAID) groups of the storage system by reorganizing the data storage devices and the parity storage devices in the RAID groups, wherein dynamically reconfiguring the RAID groups comprises; if the indication is an increase in data criticality, dynamically merging a first RAID group with a second RAID group to form a merged RAID group that includes the storage devices of the first RAID group and of the second RAID group; and if the indication is a decrease in data criticality, dynamically splitting one of the RAID groups into one or more split RAID groups, the one or more split RAID groups including the storage devices of the one of the RAID groups. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification