Storage device pool management based on fragmentation levels

A method for use with a data storage system including a storage management device and a plurality of data storage devices each comprising a non-volatile memory (NVM), the method comprising:

• receiving fragmentation level information from at least two of the plurality of data storage devices;
• receiving host data from a host device to be stored in one or more of the plurality of data storage devices;
• selecting, based on the fragmentation level information from the at least two of the plurality of data storage devices, a target data storage device from the plurality of data storage devices;
• and
• sending the host data to the target data storage device.

A data storage system, comprising:

• a plurality of data storage devices each comprising a non-volatile memory (NVM);
• means for receiving fragmentation level information from at least two of the plurality of data storage devices;
• means for selecting, based on the fragmentation level information from the at least two of the plurality of data storage devices, a target data storage device from the plurality of data storage devices;
• and
• means for sending data to the target data storage device.

A data storage device, comprising:

• a non-volatile memory (NVM);
• and
• a processor coupled to the NVM and configured to:
• determine threshold conditions that trigger a defragmentation process to be performed in the data storage device;
• calculate a fragmentation level metric based on the threshold conditions and a current amount of data stored in the NVM, wherein the fragmentation level metric indicates a proximity of the data storage device to initiating the defragmentation process;
• and
• send the fragmentation level metric to a storage management device.