Transaction-based storage system and method that uses variable sized objects to store data

A storage system comprising:

• a file system that uses variable sized objects to store data, the file system being implemented using:
• one or more ranks, each of the one or more ranks including an array of one or more storage devices configured to provide a plurality of stripes for storing objects;
• one or more data storage subsystems that store the variable sized objects;
• one or more mapping components associated with the file system;
• and
• at least one stripe buffer for storing objects to be written into a stripe;
• wherein the file system is adapted to write each stripe of data into the one or more ranks as a unit;
• wherein the storage system is adapted to manage space via a mapping component using one or more threading operations.

A The storage system comprising:

• a file system that uses variable sized objects to store data, the file system being implemented using:
• one or more ranks, each of the one or more ranks including an array of one or more storage devices configured to provide a plurality of stripes for storing objects;
• one or more data storage subsystems that store the variable sized objects;
• one or more mapping components associated with the file system;
• and
• at least one stripe buffer for storing objects to be written into a stripe;
• wherein the file system is adapted to write each stripe of data into the one or more ranks as a unit;
• wherein the file system appends objects to the at least one stripe buffer according to a write ordering policy;
• wherein the file system is adapted to process mapping information between data object identifiers and physical address information of the variable-sized objects within the one or more data storage subsystems;
• and
• wherein the file system is adapted to perform operations involving a mapping component and a stripe space table, wherein the mapping component and the stripe space table manage portions of Flash storage and implement policies to level wear.