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 method for managing available storage space in a plurality of storage devices comprising stored data files configured in accordance with one or more data storage schemes, the method comprising:
determining, by reference to a mapping table, the available locations and amount of available space in the storage devices; changing the one or more data storage schemes for one or more of the stored data files to a basic storage mode when a size of a new data file configured in accordance with an assigned data storage scheme exceeds the amount of available space in at least one of the storage devices; storing the new data file configured in accordance with the assigned data storage scheme in one or more of the available locations in the storage devices; and recording the locations of the new data file in the mapping table; wherein the one or more data storage schemes are selected from the group consisting of mirroring, striping and parity-striping.