Flexible data storage system

摘要

Methods and systems for managing and locating available storage space in a system comprising data files stored in a plurality of storage devices and configured in accordance with various data storage schemes (mirroring, striping and parity-striping). A mapping table associated with each of the plurality of storage devices is used to determine the available locations and amount of available space in the storage devices. The data storage schemes for one or more of the stored data files are changed to a basic storage mode when the size of a new data file configured in accordance with an assigned data storage scheme exceeds the amount of available space. The configured new data file is stored in accordance with the assigned data storage scheme in one or more of the available locations and the locations of the new data file are recorded.

主权项

1. A system comprising:
a plurality of storage devices comprising stored data files, the stored data files stored in accordance with a plurality of data storage schemes; a mapping table associated with each of the plurality of storage devices, the mapping table storing data representing available locations and amounts of available space in the plurality of storage devices, wherein, the system is configured to change at least one data storage scheme of a corresponding stored data file when additional storage space is needed for a new data file, and the at least one data storage scheme to change is automatically selected by the system based on a user having identified the corresponding stored data file as non-critical.