Power reduction in distributed storage systems

A distributed storage system comprising:

• a set of non-volatile data storage devices;
• a plurality of nodes, wherein each node is comprised of a plurality of data storage devices from the set of non-volatile data storage devices;
• and
• a controller node configured to:
• determine a hierarchy rule and spreading policy for the distributed storage system, wherein:
• the spreading policy is based on a number of tolerable failures of data storage devices from which a data object is recoverable;
• and
• the spreading policy is configured to distribute erasure-encoded data to each node in a number that is less than the number of tolerable failures of data storage devices;
• determine a first time period for intentionally inducing a power savings by disabling at least one node, each node of the at least one node comprised of operable data storage devices of the plurality of data storage devices;
• distribute erasure-encoded data of a first data object across a first portion and a second portion of the distributed storage system using the hierarchy rule and the spreading policy;
• disable, based on a disable signal for the at least one node and for the first time period, the first portion of the distributed storage system that includes a first portion of the erasure-encoded data of the first data object, wherein, during the first time period:
• the first portion of the distributed storage system includes the at least one node of operable data storage devices;
• the second portion of the distributed storage system includes portions of the erasure-encoded data configured to recreate the first data object;
• and
• disabling the first portion of the distributed storage system includes suspending power to a plurality of data storage devices in the first portion of the distributed storage system;
• and
• power on the plurality of data storage devices in the first portion of the distributed storage system for a second time period following the first time period.

A distributed storage system comprising:

• a plurality of nodes, wherein each node is comprised of a plurality of data storage devices;
• means for determining a hierarchy rule and spreading policy for the distributed storage system, wherein:
• the spreading policy is based on a number of tolerable failures of data storage devices from which a data object is recoverable;
• and
• the spreading policy is configured to distribute erasure-encoded data to each node in a number that is less than the number of tolerable failures of data storage devices;
• means for determining a first time period for intentionally inducing a power savings by disabling at least one node, each node of the at least one node comprised of operable data storage devices of the plurality of data storage devices;
• means for distributing erasure-encoded data of a first data object across a first portion and a second portion of the distributed storage system using the hierarchy rule and the spreading policy;
• means for disabling, based on a disable signal for the at least one node and for the first time period, the first portion of the distributed storage system that includes a first portion of the erasure-encoded data of the first data object, wherein, during the first time period:
• the first portion of the distributed storage system includes the at least one node of operable data storage devices;
• the second portion of the distributed storage system includes portions of the erasure-encoded data configured to recreate the first data object;
• and
• the disabling the first portion of the distributed storage system includes suspending power to a plurality of data storage devices in the first portion of the distributed storage system;
• and
• means for powering on the plurality of data storage devices in the first portion of the distributed storage system for a second time period following the first time period.