System and method for management of persistent data in a log-structured disk array

摘要

A system and method are provided for managing persistent and non-persistent data in a log structured disk array. In a log structured array, data are first collected in a log stored in a buffer. When the buffer is full, the data are written to a disk drive. Persistent data are continually accessed over a long period of time such that, most disk activity is associated with persistent data. Preferably, the persistent data are stored in the part of the disk where access times are minimal (active region), such as in the middle cylinders of a disk. When writing data (including during garbage collection procedure) persistent data is written to the active region and non-persistent data is written to the other regions (inactive region). The persistence of the data is monitored. Persistent data is migrated to the active region and non-persistent is migrated to the inactive region.