Patent attributes
A computer-implemented method is provided for a storage system comprising a processor in operable communication with a storage device that is configured into a plurality of respective regions of storage space. A first defragmentation process is performed on at least a first region of the plurality of respective regions of storage space to free a first portion of storage space in the a respective first region, where the freed first portion is reserved for user data and metadata associated with I/O requests to the storage system that are generated during a first operation running on the storage system. The storage system is configured to ensure that, during the first operation, user data and metadata are routed towards the first freed portion and kept separate from a set of system checkpoint information, associated with a first state of the storage system, stored in a protected portion of storage space.