Scheduling Advantages of Network Coded Storage in Point-to-Multipoint Networks

We consider scheduling strategies for point-to-multipoint (PMP) storage area networks (SANs) that use network coded storage (NCS). In particular, we present a simple SAN system model, two server scheduling algorithms for PMP networks, and analytical expressions for internal and external blocking probability. We point to select scheduling advantages in NCS systems under normal operating conditions, where content requests can be temporarily denied owing to finite system capacity from drive I/O access or storage redundancy limitations. NCS can lead to improvements in throughput and blocking probability due to increased immediate scheduling options, and complements other well documented NCS advantages such as regeneration, and can be used as a guide for future storage system design.