Dynamic storage allocation with virtually provisioned devices

摘要

A write operation writes first data to a target logical address range included in a first logical address range of a virtually provisioned device. It is determined that physical storage is not allocated for the target logical address range. First processing is performed to allocate a first portion of physical storage having a first corresponding logical address subrange that includes the target logical address range. The first portion is allocated from a physical device included in a first storage tier. The first processing includes selecting the first storage tier from multiple storage tiers in accordance with selection criteria including metrics characterizing an expected workload or level of activity for the first corresponding logical address subrange of the virtually provisioned device. Mapping information is updated to indicate that the first corresponding logical address subrange of the virtually provisioned device maps to the first portion of physical storage.

主权项

1. A method for dynamically allocating storage comprising:
receiving a write operation to write at least first data to a target logical address range of a virtually provisioned device, the virtually provisioned device having a first logical address range wherein the target logical address range identifies one or more locations in the first logical address range; determining that physical storage is not currently allocated for the target logical address range of the virtually provisioned device; responsive to determining that physical storage is not currently allocated for the target logical address range, performing first processing to allocate a first portion of physical storage for storing said first data, said first portion being allocated from at least one physical device included in a first of a plurality of storage tiers and having a first corresponding subrange of said first logical address range, said first corresponding subrange including said target logical address range, said first processing including:
selecting said first storage tier from said plurality of storage tiers in accordance with selection criteria, said selection criteria including a first set of one or more metrics used to characterize an expected workload or level of activity in connection with data operations directed to said first corresponding subrange of the virtually provisioned device; and updating mapping information to indicate that the first corresponding subrange of the virtually provisioned device maps to the first portion of physical storage.