Application Instance for Network Storage Reporting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network storage systems lack the ability to track and report which storage components and protocol components are utilized by an application, making it difficult for administrators to determine storage capacity and IOPS usage, thereby preventing application-level reporting.
Innovation Solution
The creation of an 'application instance' as a first-class management object within the network storage system, which tracks volumes, LUNs, protocol endpoints, and expected service levels, allowing administrators to manage and report on application components directly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the network storage system tracks mapping between applications and storage components, then application-level reporting capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an application instance as an intermediary object that mediates between applications and storage components. This application instance serves as a first-class management object that tracks and aggregates storage component mappings (volumes, LUNs, igroups) without requiring complex direct tracking between applications and all underlying storage components. The intermediary application instance simplifies the information flow and reduces system complexity while enabling comprehensive application-level reporting.
2Loss of information
If the system provides application-level reporting, then administrator visibility into storage usage is improved, but the system requires additional tracking mechanisms that increase complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple storage component tracking functions into a single application instance object. Instead of maintaining separate tracking mechanisms for volumes, LUNs, igroups, and performance metrics, the application instance consolidates all these elements into one unified management object. This merging approach provides complete application-level visibility while reducing the complexity of multiple separate tracking systems.
3Device complexity
If administrators must manually track storage components, then system complexity is reduced, but time consumption and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the storage system to automatically track and report its own application-level storage usage through application instances. The system autonomously maintains mapping information between applications and storage components without requiring administrator intervention. This self-service capability eliminates manual tracking efforts while providing comprehensive visibility into storage capacity and performance utilization.
4Measurement precision
If the system tracks detailed application components, then reporting precision is improved, but the complexity of managing individual components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The application instance acts as an intermediary that provides precise measurement of storage usage by aggregating detailed information from underlying storage components (volumes, LUNs, igroups). This intermediary layer maintains high measurement precision for storage capacity and IOPS usage while shielding administrators from the complexity of managing individual components. The application instance presents a simplified view that consolidates detailed component information into manageable metrics.
Data Source
AI summary
Presented herein are methods, non-transitory computer readable media, and devices providing an application centric view of storage within a network storage system, which include: creating an application instance, by the network storage system, wherein the application instance comprises at least one application-component determined based on application configuration information of the application instance; tracking the application configuration information of the application; and displaying the application configuration information in view of the storage within the network storage system.