Data storage space configuration of a hard disk drive and method of configuring data storage space of a hard drive to limit seek distances during database metadata updates

A method of configuring data storage space of a hard disk drive, the method comprising:

• electronically by a processor, defining a plurality of zones on the hard disk drive;
• electronically by a processor, storing customer data in each one of the plurality of zones;
• and
• electronically by a processor, allocating a plurality of database metadata storage spaces in the plurality of zones, wherein the number of metadata storage spaces is less than or equal to the number of zones.

A method of collocating customer data and database metadata on a hard disk drive, the method comprising:

• dividing data storage space of the hard disk drive into a plurality of zones;
• allocating a portion of the data storage space within each zone of the plurality of zone for storing customer data;
• and
• allocating a portion of the data storage space within a plurality of the plurality of zones for storing database metadata.