US 2016/0110388 A1 · DEDUPLICATION IN A STORAGE SYSTEM

Abstract

A IO handler receives a write command including write data that is associated with a LBA. The IO handler reserves a deduplication ID according to the LBA with which the write data is associated, within the scope of each LBA, each deduplication ID is unique. The IO handler computes a hash value for the write data. In case a deduplication database does not include an entry which is associated with the hash value, the IO handler: provides a reference key which is a combination of the LBA and the deduplication ID; adds to the deduplication database an entry which is uniquely associated with the hash value and references the reference key; and adds to a virtual address database an entry, including: the reference key; a reference indicator indicating if there is an entry that is associated with the present entry; and a pointer to where the write data is stored.

Claims31

Dependent claims

In a storage system comprising at least a first server and a second server, each server is assigned to access a respective storage location not accessible to the other server, a method comprising:

at the second server:
receiving a write command including a write data that is associated with a logical block address;
in respect of the write data:
computing a hash value based on the write data;
determining whether the hash value is already associated with an existing first virtual address entry, and if it is,
providing a virtual address entry for the write data;
wherein the first virtual address entry is stored at a storage location assigned to the first server, the first virtual address entry including:
a first pointer pointing to a storage location, assigned to the first server, where the write data is stored;
the virtual address entry including:
a virtual address reference key which includes the logical block address;
a pointer pointing to the first virtual address entry stored at the storage location assigned to the first storage device;
and
storing the virtual address entry in a storage location assigned to the second server.

10 more elements

A system, comprising:

at least a first server and a second server, each server is assigned with a respective storage location not accessible to the other server;
a deduplication database;
the second server is configured to:
receive a write command including a write data that is associated with a logical block address;
compute a hash value based on the write data;
wherein in case the deduplication database already includes an existing deduplication database entry which is associated with the hash value, provide a virtual address entry for the write data;
wherein an existing first virtual address entry, referenced by the existing deduplication database entry, is stored at a storage location assigned to the first server, the first virtual address entry including:
a first pointer pointing to a storage location, assigned to the first server, where the first write data is stored;
the virtual address entry, including:
a virtual address reference key which includes the logical block address;
a pointer pointing to the first virtual address entry stored at the storage location assigned to the first storage device;
and
and store the virtual address entry in a storage location assigned to the second server.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Deduplication in a storage system

Life of this patent

Deduplication in a storage system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims31