Grid-file: Towards to a flash efficient multi-dimensional index

Abstract

Spatial indexes are of great importance for multidimensional query processing. Traditional data structures have been optimized for magnetic disks in the storage layer. In the recent years flash solid disks are widely utilized, as a result of their exceptional features. However, the specifics of flash memory (asymmetric read/write speeds erase before update, wear out) introduce new challenges. Algorithms and data structures designed for magnetic disks experience reduced performance in flash. Most research efforts for flash-aware spatial indexes concern R-tree and its variants. Distinguishing from previous works we investigate the performance of Grid File in flash and enlighten constrains and opportunities towards a flash efficient Grid File. We conducted experiments on mainstream and high performance SSD devices and Grid File outperforms R ∗ -tree in all cases. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015.