Patent Filed for System and Method for Expanding Lifetime of Virtual Entries in Data Storage Systems

Strategic Insights -

Developers Uri Shabi, Alexander Shknevsky, and Vamsi K. Vankamamidi have filed a patent for a system and method that aims to expand the lifetime of virtual entries in data storage systems. This patent, filed on January 31, 2024, and published on September 30, 2025, is assigned to Dell Products L.P.

According to the patent, modern storage systems typically separate physical and virtual layers to optimize data storage. The virtual layer holds entries that describe where physical data resides and required metadata for performance and data reduction. However, deduplication, a data reduction technique, leads to end-of-life processing of virtual entries, consuming memory and CPU bandwidth.

The inventors propose a method that monitors the deduplication function of the virtual layer, increments a reference count when a data page is written, decrements the count when a page is deleted, and maintains the entry when the count reaches a predetermined value. The system determines whether a predetermined action is to be performed, reclaims the virtual entry if the action is to be performed, and revives the entry if the action is not. This approach aims to reduce memory and CPU usage in the storage system.

Key Takeaways:

  • The patent proposes a system and method to expand the lifetime of virtual entries in data storage systems.
  • The system separates physical and virtual layers for optimized data storage and leverage virtual layer metadata.
  • The method increments a reference count when a data page is written, decrements it when a page is deleted, and maintains the entry when the count reaches a predetermined value.
  • The predetermined value is set to zero, indicating the end of life of the virtual entry.
  • The system determines whether a predetermined action is to be performed, such as performing a flush operation, and reclaims the virtual entry accordingly.
  • A least recent used (LRU) index of unreclaimed virtual entries is maintained for efficient data management.
  • A first virtual entry in the LRU index is reclaimed for storing new data entries.

Statistics:

  • The patent number is 12430055.
  • The filing date was January 31, 2024.
  • The patent was published online on September 30, 2025.
  • The invention aims to expand the lifetime of virtual entries in data storage systems.
  • The system reduces memory and CPU usage in the storage system.
  • The LRU index optimizes data management by reclaiming virtual entries.
  • The predetermined value of zero is used to indicate the end of life of a virtual entry.

Sources:

  • Shabi, U. et al. (2025). System and method for expanding the lifetime of virtual entries in data storage systems. U.S. Patent Number 12430055, filed January 31, 2024, and published online on September 30, 2025. Patent URL (for desktop use only): https://ppubs.uspto.gov/pubwebapp/external.html?q=(12430055)&db=USPAT&type=ids