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Next: 1. Introduction

Trading Capacity for Performance in a Disk Array1

 Xiang Yu2  Benjamin Gum2  Yuqun Chen2  
Randolph Y. Wang2  Kai Li2  Arvind Krishnamurthy3  Thomas E. Anderson4

Abstract:

A variety of performance-enhancing techniques, such as striping, mirroring, and rotational data replication, exist in the disk array literature. Given a fixed budget of disks, one must intelligently choose what combination of these techniques to employ. In this paper, we present a way of designing disk arrays that can flexibly and systematically reduce seek and rotational delay in a balanced manner. We give analytical models that can guide an array designer towards optimal configurations by considering both disk and workload characteristics. We have implemented a prototype disk array that incorporates the configuration models. In the process, we have also developed a robust disk head position prediction mechanism without any hardware support. The resulting prototype demonstrates the effectiveness of the configuration models.



 

Xiang Yu
2000-09-11