Host-Controlled Active-Standby Storage Using Response Time Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for determining active-standby modes in storage systems require manual intervention by a host administrator, leading to sub-optimal configurations due to insufficient information.
Innovation Solution
A host device automatically controls active-standby designations for storage systems based on inter-system response time information, using PING commands or other commands to measure and compare response times between storage systems, thereby eliminating the need for manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual intervention by host administrator is used to determine active-standby mode, then system configuration can be controlled, but the configuration becomes sub-optimal due to insufficient information
Solution Approach 1:
The storage systems automatically perform PING commands to measure inter-system response times and exchange this information with the host device, enabling the system to self-determine optimal active-standby configuration without requiring manual administrator intervention. The systems serve themselves by gathering and providing the measurement data needed for configuration decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The host device receives inter-system response time information from the storage systems and uses this feedback to automatically control active-standby designations. The feedback loop includes: storage systems measuring response times via PING commands, reporting this data to the host, and the host using the data to determine optimal configuration, thereby continuously optimizing system performance.
2Productivity
If automatic control of active-standby designations is implemented, then productivity is improved by eliminating manual intervention, but device complexity increases due to additional measurement and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The host device performs multiple functions: it acts as a standard storage access point for I/O operations and simultaneously serves as a controller for automatic active-standby designation based on received response time information. The storage systems also perform dual functions by providing both storage services and inter-system response time measurements through PING commands, reducing the need for separate dedicated measurement devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage systems automatically generate and provide the inter-system response time information needed for configuration decisions, eliminating the need for external measurement tools or manual data collection. This self-service approach reduces overall system complexity by having the existing storage infrastructure perform the measurement function.
3Reliability
If inter-system response time information is obtained and used for active-standby control, then optimal configuration is achieved, but loss of time occurs in obtaining and processing the information
Solution Approach 1:
The storage systems perform PING commands and measure inter-system response times in advance, before the host device needs to make active-standby configuration decisions. By pre-obtaining this measurement data, the system minimizes the time required for actual configuration decisions, as the critical measurement step is completed beforehand rather than during the decision-making process.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus in one embodiment includes at least one processing device comprising a processor coupled to a memory. The at least one processing device is configured to obtain, in a host device, inter-system response time information based at least in part on one or more response times measured by at least one of first and second storage systems relative to another one of the first and second storage systems, and to automatically control, based at least in part on the obtained inter-system response time information, active-standby designations for respective ones of the first and second storage systems. For example, in some embodiments, automatically controlling active-standby designations for respective ones of the first and second storage systems illustratively comprises controlling activation of an active-standby mode of operation based at least in part on comparison of at least a portion of the inter-system response time information to one or more specified thresholds.