Autonomous Disk Ownership Assignment in Multi-Path Storage Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage networks face inefficiencies in managing multiple access paths and assigning ownership of storage devices, often requiring manual intervention which is time-consuming, error-prone, and results in suboptimal performance, especially in environments with a high proportion of solid state drives (SSDs).
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an autonomous disk ownership assignment method using storage node computing devices that automatically identify and assign storage devices based on unique identifiers and section discriminant data, ensuring balanced utilization of multiple access paths and minimizing conflicts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual intervention is used to assign storage device ownership, then assignment can be customized according to specific requirements, but the process becomes time-consuming, labor-intensive, and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The storage devices autonomously identify unowned sections and assign themselves ownership without manual intervention. The system automatically detects unowned sections, evaluates access paths, and assigns ownership to appropriate storage nodes, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual assignment while maintaining adaptability to network changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary identification of unowned sections and pre-evaluates access path utilization before ownership assignment occurs. By preparing the assignment candidates and evaluating paths in advance, the system enables rapid ownership assignment when network changes occur, reducing the time loss associated with reactive manual intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual intervention is used to assign storage device ownership, then specific requirements can be met, but the process becomes labor-intensive and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
Storage devices autonomously manage their own ownership assignment by identifying unowned sections and selecting appropriate storage nodes based on access path utilization. This self-service mechanism eliminates labor-intensive manual processes and reduces errors while maintaining the ability to meet specific network requirements through automated decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors access path utilization and feedback from the storage network to dynamically adjust ownership assignments. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to changing network conditions and requirements automatically, reducing the complexity of manual management while maintaining high adaptability to specific requirements.
3Productivity
If autonomous assignment methods are used, then time consumption is reduced, but suboptimal assignment occurs resulting in underutilization or imbalance of access paths
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of access path utilization and identifies optimal storage nodes before ownership assignment. By pre-assessing the network state and calculating the best assignment candidates based on current path utilization, the system achieves both rapid assignment and optimal utilization of access paths, avoiding suboptimal assignments.
Solution Approach 2:
The ownership assignment system dynamically adapts to changing network conditions by continuously monitoring access path utilization. When network topology or load changes, the system re-evaluates assignments and rebalances ownership to maintain optimal path utilization, ensuring both speed and adaptability in dynamic environments.
4Quantity of substance
If traditional hard disk drives are used, then storage capacity is achieved, but multiple access paths are not efficiently utilized compared to SSDs
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically manages access path utilization based on the characteristics of storage devices. For high-performance SSDs with multiple access paths, the system actively balances and utilizes multiple paths to maximize throughput. For traditional hard disk drives, the system adapts the assignment to match the device capabilities, ensuring optimal productivity regardless of storage device type while maintaining efficient path utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and storage node computing device that identifies a subset of a plurality of sections of a shelf that is unowned based on a determined ownership status of a plurality of storage devices hosted by the shelf. Obtained section discriminant data is applied to one of a plurality of ordered storage node identifiers to identify one section of the subset of the sections. Ownership of one or more of the storage devices corresponding to the one section is obtained.