18064373. Garbage-collection in Log-based Block Devices with Snapshots simplified abstract (Google LLC)

Garbage-collection in Log-based Block Devices with Snapshots

Organization Name

Google LLC

Inventor(s)

Oliver Deiss of Mountain View CA (US)

Grigory Borisovich Lyakhovitskiy of Redmond WA (US)

Dan Kimmel of Mountain View CA (US)

Garbage-collection in Log-based Block Devices with Snapshots - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18064373 titled 'Garbage-collection in Log-based Block Devices with Snapshots

Simplified Explanation: The patent application describes a method for garbage collection in a log-structured volume by compacting log files and generating snapshots.

• **Key Features and Innovation:**

   * Obtaining a request to compact log files of a log-structured volume.
   * Determining fresh block runs in use and stale block runs no longer in use.
   * Generating snapshots and interval maps for each snapshot.
   * Writing fresh block runs to compacted log files and generating per-log diff files.
   * Generating checkpoints based on per-log diff files for each snapshot.
   * Deleting log files after compaction.

Potential Applications: This technology can be applied in data storage systems, database management, and file systems where efficient garbage collection is essential.

Problems Solved: The method addresses the challenge of managing and optimizing storage space in log-structured volumes with multiple snapshots.

Benefits: - Improved storage efficiency - Faster garbage collection process - Enhanced data organization and management

Commercial Applications: The technology can be utilized in cloud storage services, data centers, and enterprise-level storage solutions to optimize storage space and improve performance.

Prior Art: Prior research in log-structured volumes, garbage collection algorithms, and snapshot management can provide insights into similar technologies.

Frequently Updated Research: Stay updated on advancements in log-structured storage systems, garbage collection techniques, and snapshot management for potential improvements in the technology.

Questions about Garbage Collection in Log-Structured Volumes: 1. How does the method determine fresh block runs in log files? 2. What are the implications of generating checkpoints based on per-log diff files in snapshot management?

Original Abstract Submitted

A method for garbage-collection includes obtaining a request to compact a plurality of log files of a log-structured volume. Each log file includes fresh block runs in use and stale block runs no longer in use. The log-structured volume includes a plurality of snapshots. For each respective snapshot, the method includes determining, using a plurality of interval maps, the fresh block runs of the plurality of log files used by the respective snapshot. For each respective log file, the method includes writing the fresh block runs of the respective log file to a respective compacted log file and generating a respective per-log diff file. The method includes, for each respective snapshot, generating a respective checkpoint based on respective per-log diff files and deleting each respective log file of the plurality of log files.