Abstract: A distributed data storage system can be configured with a host connected to a first device and an initialization module that performs a default initialization procedure on the first device in response to detecting the first device has an unknown manufacturing origin. Conducting the default initialization procedure may allow the first device to service data access requests from the host. In response to the connection of a second device to the host and initialization module, a manufacturing origin of the second device is identified with the initialization module before the initialization module customizes the default initialization procedure to a custom procedure that is executed to allow the second device to satisfy a background operation prescribed by the initialization module.

Abstract: A data storage system may connect a host to a device and a hardware module that are utilized to satisfy at least one host-generated data access request to the device. A portion of the device is set as dormant by the hardware module prior to identifying an origin of the device with the hardware module during the satisfaction of the at least one host-generated data access request. In response to the identified origin, the previously dormant portion of the device is activated and subsequently utilized to execute a task assigned by the hardware module.

Abstract: A data storage device includes at least one data storage medium. The data storage device also includes a workload rating associated with data access operations carried out on the at least one data storage medium. The data storage device further includes a controller configured to enable performance of the data access operations, and change a rate of consumption of the workload rating by internal device management operations carried out in the data storage device in response to a change in a workload consumed by host commands serviced by the data storage device.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for managing data in a processing system, such as but not limited to a data storage device such as a solid-state drive (SSD). A ferroelectric stack register memory has a first arrangement of ferroelectric memory cells (FMEs) of a first construction and a second arrangement of FMEs of a different, second construction arranged to provide respective cache lines for use by a controller, such as a programmable processor. A pointer mechanism is configured to provide pointers to point to each of the respective cache lines based on a time sequence of operation of the processor. Data sets can be migrated to the different arrangements by the controller as required based on the different operational characteristics of the respective FME constructions. The FMEs may be non-volatile and read-destructive. Refresh circuitry can be selectively enacted under different operational modes.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for managing a front-end cache formed of ferroelectric memory element (FME) cells. Prior to storage of writeback data associated with a pending write command from a client device, an intelligent cache manager circuit forwards a first status value indicative that sufficient capacity is available in the front-end cache for the writeback data. Non-requested speculative readback data previously transferred to the front-end cache from the main NVM memory store may be jettisoned to accommodate the writeback data. A second status value may be supplied to the client device if insufficient capacity is available to store the writeback data in the front-end cache, and a different, non-FME based cache may be used in such case. Mode select inputs can be supplied by the client device specify a particular quality of service level for the front-end cache, enabling selection of suitable writeback and speculative readback data processing strategies.

Abstract: A method for execution by a storage unit in a dispersed storage network (DSN) includes selecting a storage zone of a memory device of the storage unit based on zone allocation parameters, and designating the selected storage zone as open for writes. A data slice is received via a network for storage. The data slice is written sequentially at a memory location of the one of storage zone based on determining that the storage zone is designated as open for writes. A pointer corresponding to the data slice that indicates the storage zone and the memory location is generated. A read request is received via the network from a requesting entity that indicates the data slice. The data slice is retrieved from the memory device based on the pointer, and is transmitted to the requesting entity.

Abstract: A memory device formed of ferroelectric field effect transistors (FeFETs). The memory device can be used as a front end buffer, such as in a data storage device having a non-volatile memory (NVM). A controller can be configured to transfer user data between the NVM and an external client (host) via the buffer. The FeFETs can be arranged in a two-dimensional (2D) or a three-dimensional (3D) array. A monitor circuit can be used to monitor operation of the FeFETs. An optimization controller can be used to adjust at least one operational parameter associated with the FeFETs responsive to the monitored operation by the monitor circuit. The FeFETs may require a refresh operation after each read operation. A power down sequence can involve a read operation without a subsequent refresh operation to wipe the FeFETs, the read operation jettisoning the data read from the buffer memory.

Abstract: A data storage device includes at least one data storage medium. The data storage device also includes a workload rating associated with data access operations carried out on the at least one data storage medium. The data storage device further includes a controller configured to enable performance of the data access operations, and change a rate of consumption of the workload rating by internal device management operations carried out in the data storage device in response to a change in a workload consumed by host commands serviced by the data storage device.

Abstract: A data storage system may connect a host to a device and a hardware module that are utilized to satisfy at least one host-generated data access request to the device. A portion of the device is set as dormant by the hardware module prior to identifying an origin of the device with the hardware module during the satisfaction of the at least one host-generated data access request. In response to the identified origin, the previously dormant portion of the device is activated and subsequently utilized to execute a task assigned by the hardware module.

Abstract: A data storage system can employ a read destructive memory configured to fill a first cache with a first data set from a data repository prior to populating a second cache with a second data set describing the first data set with the first and second cache each having non-volatile ferroelectric memory cells. An entirety of the first cache may be read in response to a cache hit in the second cache with the cache hit responsive to a data read command from a host and with the first cache being read without a refresh operation restoring the data of the first cache.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a piece of data at an upper-layer server of a multi-tiered storage system comprising the upper-layer server and a block server, and determining a signature for the piece of data. A first bloom filter stored on the upper-layer server is a copy of a second bloom filter stored on the block server. The first bloom filter is checked for the signature. When a match is found in the first bloom filter, the piece of data is sent for storage at the block server, and it is verified at the block server whether a match is present for the piece of data. When a match is present, the piece of data is deduplicated. When a match is not present, the piece of data is stored. When a match is not found in the first bloom filter, the piece of data is stored in the block server.

Abstract: A data storage system can employ a read destructive memory configured with multiple levels. A non-volatile memory unit can be programmed with a first logical state in response to a first write voltage of a first hysteresis loop by a write controller prior to being programmed to a second logical state in response to a second write voltage of the first hysteresis loop, as directed by the write controller. The first and second logical states may be present concurrently in the non-volatile memory unit and subsequently read concurrently as the first logical state and the second logical state.

Abstract: A distributed data storage system can be configured with a host connected to a first device and an initialization module that performs a default initialization procedure on the first device in response to detecting the first device has an unknown manufacturing origin. Conducting the default initialization procedure may allow the first device to service data access requests from the host. In response to the connection of a second device to the host and initialization module, a manufacturing origin of the second device is identified with the initialization module before the initialization module customizes the default initialization procedure to a custom procedure that is executed to allow the second device to satisfy a background operation prescribed by the initialization module.

Abstract: A distributed data storage system may connect a host to a device and a dedication module. The dedication module can identify a manufacturing origin of the device before dedicating a type of host-generated data access request to the device. The type of host-generated data access request is chosen by the dedication module in response to an operating capability correlated to the device by the dedication module based on the identified manufacturing origin. At least one host-generated request of the dedicated type is then completed with the device.

Abstract: A distributed data storage system can be configured with a host connected to a device and a distribution module. The distribution module identifies a manufacturing origin of the device and diverts a system operation from an upstream component connected to the distribution module to the device in response to the identified manufacturing origin of the device. The manufacturer installed operating parameters of the device are then used to complete the system operation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for managing a front-end cache formed of ferroelectric memory element (FME) cells. Prior to storage of writeback data associated with a pending write command from a client device, an intelligent cache manager circuit forwards a first status value indicative that sufficient capacity is available in the front-end cache for the writeback data. Non-requested speculative readback data previously transferred to the front-end cache from the main NVM memory store may be jettisoned to accommodate the writeback data. A second status value may be supplied to the client device if insufficient capacity is available to store the writeback data in the front-end cache, and a different, non-FME based cache may be used in such case. Mode select inputs can be supplied by the client device specify a particular quality of service level for the front-end cache, enabling selection of suitable writeback and speculative readback data processing strategies.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a piece of data at an upper-layer server of a multi-tiered storage system comprising the upper-layer server and a block server, and determining a signature for the piece of data. A first bloom filter stored on the upper-layer server is a copy of a second bloom filter stored on the block server. The first bloom filter is checked for the signature. When a match is found in the first bloom filter, the piece of data is sent for storage at the block server, and it is verified at the block server whether a match is present for the piece of data. When a match is present, the piece of data is deduplicated. When a match is not present, the piece of data is stored. When a match is not found in the first bloom filter, the piece of data is stored in the block server.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing conflicting background tasks in a dispersed storage network are provided. In embodiments, a method includes: gathering scheduled future task data for scheduled future tasks from a plurality of task scheduling modules within a dispersed storage network, wherein the scheduled future tasks are tasks associated with stored data objects; monitoring the scheduled future task data for scheduling conflicts based on stored rules; determining that a scheduling conflict exists between a first future task of the scheduled future tasks and a second future task of the scheduled future tasks; issuing instructions to at least one of the plurality of task scheduling modules to update the first future task or the second future task based on the scheduling conflict; and updating, by the at least one of the plurality of task scheduling modules, the first future task or the second future task based on the instructions.

Abstract: A method for execution by a storage unit in a dispersed storage network (DSN) includes selecting a storage zone of a memory device of the storage unit based on zone allocation parameters, and designating the selected storage zone as open for writes. A data slice is received via a network for storage. The data slice is written sequentially at a memory location of the one of storage zone based on determining that the storage zone is designated as open for writes. A pointer corresponding to the data slice that indicates the storage zone and the memory location is generated. A read request is received via the network from a requesting entity that indicates the data slice. The data slice is retrieved from the memory device based on the pointer, and is transmitted to the requesting entity.

Abstract: A method includes: receiving, by a computing device, data for storage in a dispersed storage network; writing, by the computing device, the data to a first location; generating, by the computing device, a first pointer to the first location; receiving, by the computing device, updated data that is an updated version of the data; writing, by the computing device, the updated data to a second location; generating, by the computing device, a second pointer to the second location; and deleting, by the computing device, the first pointer at a time after writing the updated data and generating the second pointer.