Patent ID: 9330009
Filing Date: 2016-05-03
CPC Classification: G06F

Claim Text:
1. A method for use in managing data storage, the method comprising: collecting cache activity data in connection with at least one data unit stored in cache in a data storage system, wherein the at least one data unit forms at least part of a data group; collecting non-cache activity data in connection with the data group stored on a first data storage tier in the data storage system, wherein the data storage system comprises first and second data storage tiers configured such that the performance characteristics associated with one of the data storage tiers is superior to the other data storage tier, further wherein the first and second data storage tiers are separate to the cache, still further wherein the data group is stored on the first data storage tier, additionally wherein the at least one data unit that forms at least part of the data group is stored in the cache; based on the cache activity data, the non-cache activity data, and the performance characteristics associated with the second data storage tier, determining whether to store the data group on the second data storage tier in the data storage system; and in response to determining to store the data group on the second data storage tier, performing operations relating to storage of the data group on the second data storage tier, including: storing a first data unit of the data group on the second data storage tier; determining that a second data unit of the data group should not be arranged next to the first data unit on the second data storage tier based on an address associated with the second data unit; and determining to leave a hole next to the first data unit on the second data storage tier by writing the second data unit to another place; locating a third data unit in the data group or another data group, wherein the first and third data units have sequential addresses; and writing the third data unit to the hole next to the first data unit.