Variable size metadata pages with log-structured metadata

A system comprising:

• one or more processors;
• and
• a memory comprising code stored thereon that, when executed, performs a method comprising:
• generating an updated first metadata (MD) page by performing one or more updates to an existing version of the first MD page;
• selecting a first page type to be used for encoding the updated first MD page, wherein said selecting selects the first page type from a plurality of predefined page types, wherein each of the plurality of predefined page types identifies a different metadata layout or format for storing MD pages;
• encoding the updated first MD page in accordance with the first page type and accordingly generating a first encoded version of the updated first MD page;
• and
• storing the first encoded version of the updated first MD page at a first physical storage location of a non-volatile storage device.

A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising code stored thereon that, when executed, performs a method comprising:

• generating an updated first metadata (MD) page by performing one or more updates to an existing version of the first MD page;
• selecting a first page type to be used for encoding the updated first MD page, wherein said selecting selects the first page type from a plurality of predefined page types, wherein each of the plurality of predefined page types identifies a different metadata layout or format for storing MD pages;
• encoding the updated first MD page in accordance with the first page type and accordingly generating a first encoded version of the updated first MD page;
• and
• storing the first encoded version of the updated first MD page at a first physical storage location of a non-volatile storage device.