International Business Machines Corporation

Van Smith

Glen Alan Jaquette

Jacob Smalts

David Mullen

A method for more efficiently utilizing storage space in a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method implements a RAID from multiple storage drives. The RAID utilizes data striping with distributed parity values to provide desired data protection/redundancy. The distributed parity values are placed on selected storage drives of the RAID in accordance with a designated parity rotation. The method further adaptively alters the parity rotation of the RAID to provide an increased concentration of parity values in certain storage drives of the RAID compared to other storage drives of the RAID. This parity rotation may be adapted based on residual storage capacity in each storage drive, consumed space in each storage drive, or the like. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Adaptive parity rotation for redundant arrays of independent disks

A method for more efficiently utilizing storage space in a set of storage drives is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method implements, in a set of storage drives, a first RAID utilizing data striping with distributed parity values. The method further implements, in a subset of the set of storage drives, a second RAID using residual storage space in storage drives belonging to the subset. Storage drives belonging to the subset may have a storage capacity that is larger than storage drives not belonging to the subset. In certain embodiments, the method adaptively alters a parity rotation of the first RAID to provide an increased concentration of parity values in certain storage drives of the first RAID compared to other storage drives of the first RAID. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

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Houston, TX, United States of America

Van Smith