Active Element Manager for Data Storage Context Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data storage system management techniques are cumbersome and time-consuming, as users often need to manually search external websites for information, leading to potential inaccuracies and lack of integration between data storage administration tasks and external resources.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that uses an active element manager component to collect context information from the data storage system, connect to external environments, and provide user-relevant information from virtual user communities, facilitating bi-directional communication and improving data storage system management tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If users manually search external websites for data storage administration information, then they can obtain additional relevant information, but the process becomes time-consuming and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes connections between the data storage system and external environments (websites, user communities, support systems) before users need information. Context information about the current system state is collected and made ready for immediate external querying, eliminating the need for users to manually search websites step-by-step.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary component is introduced that automatically queries external environments on behalf of users using collected context information. This intermediary translates internal system states into external queries and brings back relevant information, saving users time while maintaining access to external resources.
2Loss of information
If users manually navigate external websites for support information, then they can find relevant data, but they may lack sufficient knowledge to perform accurate searches and obtain incorrect information
Solution Approach 1:
The system collects context information about the current system state and uses this feedback to automatically formulate accurate queries to external environments. The intermediary component receives feedback from the system state and adjusts its external queries accordingly, ensuring precise information retrieval without requiring user expertise.
Solution Approach 2:
The data storage system performs self-service by automatically querying external environments for relevant information based on its own context state. The system independently determines what information it needs and retrieves it accurately without relying on user knowledge or manual search skills.
3Adaptability or versatility
If users perform data storage administration in a first session and search for information in a second session, then they can access different resources, but there is no information shared between the two tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the administrative session and information search into a single integrated session. By collecting context information during administration tasks and automatically querying external environments within the same session, the system combines multiple functions (administration + information retrieval) that were previously separated into different sessions.
Solution Approach 2:
The data storage system gains multi-functionality by incorporating both administrative capabilities and external information retrieval within a single session. The system can perform administration tasks and simultaneously access external resources, user communities, and support systems without requiring separate sessions, making it more versatile and efficient.
Data Source
AI summary
Described are techniques for performing data storage system management of a data storage system. An active element manager component is provided that performs data storage system management operations. Using the active element management component, context information is collected. User relevant information is received by the active element manager component. The user relevant information includes information about a virtual user community relevant to a first user identifier. For an active element management session having the first user identifier, the user relevant information is displayed via a user interface. The user interface provides for display a first portion of the user relevant information about the virtual user community and a first connection to the external environment. Upon selection of the first portion, the active element manager component connects to a target location associated with the virtual user community and provides the context information to the external environment.