Nathan W Clark

Title: Nathan W. Clark: Innovator in Data Storage Solutions

Introduction

Nathan W. Clark is a notable inventor based in Millbury, MA (US), recognized for his contributions to data storage technology. With a total of six patents to his name, he has made significant advancements in the field of thin-provisioned block storage systems.

Latest Patents

Among his latest patents is a system and method for providing thin-provisioned block storage with multiple data protection classes. This innovative approach allows a multi-node system to access physical storage divided into extents, which are further arranged into extent groups. These groups can be allocated on demand as thin-provisioned storage in response to write requests. The protection class instances are set with specified data protection capabilities, ensuring that each instance acts as a logical unit with a distinct addressable block storage space. Management information for the extents, extent groups, and protection classes is stored in mirrored devices separate from the write data, providing redundant protection and increasing data availability in case of failures.

Another significant patent involves elastic metadata and multiple tray allocation. In this system, both object data and corresponding metadata are stored on thin-provisioned block storage, with blocks dynamically provisioned from a shared pool. The metadata is organized using a tree data structure that grows proportionally with the stored object data. This innovative storage solution adapts automatically to the size and number of objects being stored, with metadata space allocated dynamically on demand. Additionally, the extent allocation is tray-aware, maximizing the probability that data remains available and recoverable even in the event of a failure in one or more trays.

Career Highlights

Nathan has worked with prominent companies in the technology sector, including Hitachi Vantara Corporation and Hitachi Data Systems Corporation. His experience in these organizations has allowed him to develop and refine his innovative ideas in data storage solutions.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, Nathan has collaborated with notable professionals such as Alan Bryant and Charles C. Bennett, Jr. These partnerships have contributed to the advancement of his projects and the successful implementation of his inventions.

Conclusion

Nathan W. Clark is a distinguished inventor whose work in data storage technology has led to significant advancements in the field. His innovative patents and collaborations with industry leaders highlight his commitment to improving data management solutions.