An improved system for accessing data within a distributed data storage network (“DDSN”) is disclosed. In a system implementing the disclosed invention, traffic is routed to individual slice servers within the DDSN in accordance with objective criteria as well as user-defined policies. In accordance with one aspect of the disclosed invention, when a data segment is written to a DDSN, the segment is divided into multiple data slices, which are simultaneously transmitted to different slice servers. In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed invention, when a data segment is read from a DDSN, a list of slice servers, each containing a data slice that could be used to reconstruct the requested data segment, is assembled, and sorted in accordance with a preference rating assigned to each of the slice servers. Sufficient data slices to reconstruct the data segment are then read in accordance with the preference ranking of the slice servers.

Smart access to a dispersed data storage network

A billing process is disclosed for an information dispersal system or digital data storage system. The original data to be stored is separated into a number of data 'slices' or shares (22, 24, 26, 28, 30, and 32). These data subsets are stored on separate digital data storage devices (34, 36, 38, 40, 42, and 44) as a way of increasing privacy and security. A set of metadata tables are created, separate from the dispersed file share storage, to maintain information about the original data size of each block, file or set of file shares dispersed on the grid.

Billing system for information dispersal system

A system, method, and apparatus for implementing a plurality of dispersed data storage networks using a set of slice servers are disclosed. A plurality of information records are maintained, with each information record corresponding to a dispersed data storage network. The information record maintains what slice servers are used to implement the dispersed data storage network, as well as other information needed to administer a DDSN, such as the information dispersal algorithm used, how data is stored, and whether data is compressed or encrypted.

Virtualized data storage vaults on a dispersed data storage network

An efficient method for breaking source data into smaller data subsets and storing those subsets along with coded information about some of the other data subsets on different storage nodes such that the original data can be recreated from a portion of those data subsets in an efficient manner.

Digital data storage system

This disclosure provides for host-controller cooperation in managing NAND flash memory. The controller maintains information for each erase unit which tracks memory usage. This information assists the host in making decisions about specific operations, for example, initiating garbage collection, space reclamation, wear leveling or other operations. For example, metadata can be provided to the host identifying whether each page of an erase unit has been released, and the host can specifically then command each of consolidation and erase using direct addressing. By redefining host-controller responsibilities in this manner, much of the overhead association with FTL functions can be substantially removed from the memory controller, with the host directly specifying physical addresses. This reduces performance unpredictability and overhead, thereby facilitating integration of solid state drives (SSDs) with other forms of storage. The disclosed techniques are especially useful for direct-attached and/or network-attached storage.

Cooperative flash memory control

A disk drive system and method capable of dynamically allocating data is provided. The disk drive system may include a RAID subsystem having a pool of storage, for example a page pool of storage that maintains a free list of RAIDs, or a matrix of disk storage blocks that maintain a null list of RAIDs, and a disk manager having at least one disk storage system controller. The RAID subsystem and disk manager dynamically allocate data across the pool of storage and a plurality of disk drives based on RAID-to-disk mapping. The RAID subsystem and disk manager determine whether additional disk drives are required, and a notification is sent if the additional disk drives are required. Dynamic data allocation and data progression allow a user to acquire a disk drive later in time when it is needed. Dynamic data allocation also allows efficient data storage of snapshots/point-in-time copies of virtual volume pool of storage, instant data replay and data instant fusion for data backup, recovery etc., remote data storage, and data progression, etc.

Virtual disk drive system and method

A disk drive system and method capable of dynamically allocating data is provided. The disk drive system may include a storage subsystem having a pool of storage. The storage subsystem dynamically allocates data across the pool of storage. The storage subsystem determines whether additional storage is required, and a notification is sent if the storage is required. Dynamic data allocation and data progression allow a user to acquire storage later in time when it is needed. Dynamic data allocation also allows efficient data storage of snapshots/point-in-time copies of virtual volume pool of storage, instant data replay and data instant fusion for data backup, recovery etc., remote data storage, and data progression, etc. Cloud-based storage media are provided to enhance the operational and cost efficiency of the system.

Virtual disk drive system and method with cloud-based storage media

A disk drive system and method capable of dynamically allocating data is provided. The disk drive system may include a RAID subsystem having a pool of storage, for example a page pool of storage that maintains a free list of RAIDs, or a matrix of disk storage blocks that maintain a null list of RAIDs, and a disk manager having at least one disk storage system controller. The RAID subsystem and disk manager dynamically allocate data across the pool of storage and a plurality of disk drives based on RAID-to-disk mapping. Dynamic data allocation and data progression allow a user to acquire a disk drive later in time when it is needed. Data deduplication is provided to improve storage capacity and system performance.

Virtual disk drive system and method with deduplication

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an improved system for dynamically allocating data. SOLUTION: The system includes a RAID subsystem having a pool of storage (a page pool of storage that maintains a free list of RAIDs and the like) or a matrix of disk storage blocks that maintain a null list of RAIDs and a disk manager having a disk storage system control device. The subsystem and the manager dynamically allocate data across the pool of storage and a disk drive and determine whether additional disk drives are required, and a notification is sent if necessary. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

System and method of virtual disk drive

Method and apparatus for intelligently caching data in an intelligent disk subsystem connected to a main computer having a main memory. The disk subsystem includes a disk-cache memory having a first and a second memory bank. A first copy and a second copy of data are held in the first and second memory banks, respectively, wherein the first memory bank is coupled to a first battery and the second memory bank is coupled to a second battery. A detected failure occurring in either memory bank or either battery causes either the first copy or the second copy of data to be read, based on where a detected failure occurred. In one embodiment, successive read operations are routed to alternating memory banks. In one embodiment, read operations going to disk devices and returning data to the disk-cache memory are given a higher priority than write operations. In one embodiment, only write operation data are cached in the cache memory, but either read or write operations are completed using the data held in the cache memory.

John P. Guider

Papers

Virtual disk drive system and method

Virtual disk drive system and method with cloud-based storage media

Virtual disk drive system and method with deduplication

System and method of virtual disk drive

Intelligent disk-cache memory