Assigning data for storage based on a frequency with which the data is accessed

Abstract

A method, system, and apparatus for improving performance when retrieving data from one or more storage media. Files to be stored on the one or more storage media are classified into a ranking of different sets. Differences in retrieval value of different regions of the one or more storage media are exploited by selecting which files to store in which regions. For example, files that have a higher classification are stored in regions with faster retrieval values. The files can be classified based on frequency of access. Thus, files that are more frequently accessed are stored in regions that have a faster retrieval value. The files can be classified by another measure such as priority. For example, the classification for some or all of the files can be based on user-assigned priority. The classification may be based on events or data grouping.

1 . A method for storing a file on a single storage unit, the method comprising:
 determining retrieval values for a plurality of storage locations on said single storage unit;   dividing the plurality of storage locations on said single storage unit into a first region and a second region, based on the determined retrieval values;   determining an access frequency with which the file is accessed by examining whether said file was accessed more than a predetermined number of times in a predetermined period;   determining a priority for the file;   classifying the file into a high classification and a low classification, based on the determined access frequency and priority for the file;   storing the file in said first region of said single storage unit, if the file has a high classification; and   storing the file in said second region of said single storage unit, if the file has a low classification, wherein the method is performed by one or more processors.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising classifying the file further based on an event associated with the file. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining retrieval values comprises determining an internal transfer rate characteristic for each of the plurality of storage locations by issuing multiple read commands to one or more locations in each of the plurality of storage locations and measuring response time. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein accessing the retrieval value of each of the two or more regions comprises determining a retrieval value for at least one location in each of the two or more regions. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein classifying the file comprises applying a threshold that is adjustable based on frequency of access of the plurality of files. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein classifying the file is further based, at least in part, on file groupings. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of regions are ranked based on the retrieval value for the one or more locations of the plurality of locations of each particular region; and wherein classifying the file is further based on the ranking of the regions. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of storage locations have a range of retrieval values from a high retrieval value to a low retrieval value; and wherein classifying the file is further based on the range of retrieval value. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining a priority for the file is based on receiving user input to prioritize the file. 
     
     
         10 . A non-transitory computer readable unit comprising instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause performance of steps comprising:
 determining retrieval values for a plurality of storage locations on said single storage unit;   dividing the plurality of storage locations on said single storage unit into a first region and a second region, based on the determined retrieval values;   determining an access frequency with which the file is accessed by examining whether said file was accessed more than a predetermined number of times in a predetermined period;   determining a priority for the file;   classifying the file into a high classification and a low classification, based on the determined access frequency and priority for the file;   storing the file in said first region of said single storage unit, if the file has a high classification; and   storing the file in said second region of said single storage unit, if the file has a low classification.   
     
     
         11 . The non-transitory computer readable unit of  claim 10 , further comprising instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, causes performance of steps comprising: classifying the file further based on an event associated with the file. 
     
     
         12 . The non-transitory computer readable unit of  claim 10 , wherein determining retrieval values comprises determining an internal transfer rate characteristic for each of the plurality of storage locations by issuing multiple read commands to one or more locations in each of the plurality of storage locations and measuring response time. 
     
     
         13 . The non-transitory computer readable unit of  claim 10 , wherein accessing the retrieval value of each of the two or more regions comprises determining a retrieval value for at least one location in each of the two or more regions. 
     
     
         14 . The non-transitory computer readable unit of  claim 10 , wherein classifying the file comprises applying a threshold that is adjustable based on frequency of access of the plurality of files. 
     
     
         15 . The non-transitory computer readable unit of  claim 10 , wherein classifying the file is further based, at least in part, on file groupings. 
     
     
         16 . The non-transitory computer readable unit of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of regions are ranked based on the retrieval value for the one or more locations of the plurality of locations of each particular region; and wherein classifying the file is further based on the ranking of the regions. 
     
     
         17 . The non-transitory computer readable unit of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of storage locations have a range of retrieval values from a high retrieval value to a low retrieval value; and wherein classifying the file is further based on the range of retrieval value. 
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory computer readable unit of  claim 10 , wherein determining a priority for the file is based on receiving user input to prioritize the file.