Automated Storage Tiering via Multi-Path Performance Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional storage management practices are complex and require excessive communication between host administrators and storage administrators, complicating the management of logical storage devices and impacting application performance.

Innovation Solution

Implementing automated tiering of logical storage volumes based on service level objectives (SLOs) within a multi-path layer of the host device's software architecture, which determines performance levels and assigns storage roles to logical storage devices, reducing the need for administrator communication and enhancing performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional storage management practices are used, then storage devices can be managed, but the management process becomes unduly complicated and requires substantial communication between host administrators and storage administrators

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage management simplicityVSAvoidmanagement process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automated device tiering where the storage system autonomously determines performance levels of logical storage devices and assigns them to appropriate tiers based on measured performance characteristics. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for substantial communication between host and storage administrators, significantly simplifying management operations while maintaining intelligent storage optimization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The storage system performs preliminary measurements of performance levels for logical storage devices and pre-determines their appropriate tier assignments before they are needed. By measuring and classifying devices in advance, the system eliminates the need for real-time administrator intervention and communication, reducing management complexity while ensuring optimal storage resource allocation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Extent of automation

If automated tiering is implemented, then administrator communication is minimized, but the system requires sophisticated performance measurement and decision-making capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated tiering levelVSAvoidsystem sophistication requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously measures performance levels of logical storage devices and uses this feedback to dynamically assign devices to appropriate tiers. The performance measurement mechanism provides ongoing feedback about device characteristics, enabling the automated tiering system to make informed decisions about storage resource allocation without requiring excessive administrator communication or intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual administrator decision-making with automated software-based performance measurement and classification mechanisms. By substituting the mechanical process of human communication and manual assignment with electronic performance monitoring and algorithmic decision-making, the system achieves high automation levels while managing the complexity through software intelligence rather than human expertise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If manual storage device assignment is used, then administrators have control over storage roles, but application performance is not optimized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication performanceVSAvoidadministrator control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter of storage device assignment from manual administrator control to automated performance-based assignment. By measuring actual performance characteristics of storage devices and using these parameters to determine tier assignments, the system optimizes application performance while administrators retain oversight through configuration of performance thresholds and tier definitions without needing to manually assign each device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11954344B2Host device comprising layered software architecture with automated tiering of logical storage devices

Publication Date: 2024.04.09 EMC IP HLDG CO LLC

AI summary

An apparatus comprises at least one processing device. The at least one processing device is configured, for each of a plurality of logical storage devices of a storage system, to determine in a multi-path layer of a layered software stack of a host device a performance level for that logical storage device, to communicate the performance levels for respective ones of the logical storage devices from the multi-path layer of the layered software stack of the host device to at least one additional layer of the software stack above the multi-path layer, and to select particular ones of the logical storage devices for assignment to particular storage roles in the additional layer based at least in part on the communicated performance levels. The additional layer in some embodiments comprises an application layer configured to automatically select a particular one of the logical storage devices for a particular storage role.