Boot Volume Population via Pre-configured Images
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of setting up and maintaining multiple servers with correctly configured software for a storage system is tedious, especially when done manually, requiring initial booting on removable media or network-provided images and subsequent software installation.
Innovation Solution
A network-connected management infrastructure provides a pre-configured image that can automatically populate boot volumes across new host servers, eliminating the need for manual booting and reducing setup time, using cloud-defined storage and pod templates to define and provision boot volumes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual software installation is performed on each server, then software configuration accuracy is improved, but setup time and labor cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by creating a master image containing pre-configured software and settings before deployment. This master image is then automatically copied to multiple servers, eliminating the need for manual software installation on each server while maintaining configuration accuracy. The preliminary preparation of the master image resolves the contradiction by enabling automated, accurate, and rapid deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating a master image that can be replicated across multiple servers. Instead of manually installing software on each server, the system copies the pre-configured master image to all target servers, ensuring consistent and accurate software configuration while dramatically reducing setup time and labor requirements.
2Loss of time
If automated image deployment is implemented, then setup time is reduced, but initial system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component - a management infrastructure or deployment system - that handles the complexity of automated image deployment. This intermediary manages the creation, storage, and distribution of master images, as well as the automated copying process to multiple servers. By centralizing the automation logic in this intermediary layer, the patent reduces setup time while containing system complexity in a manageable component rather than distributing it across all servers.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual software installation is performed, then adaptability to specific server requirements is improved, but consistency across servers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating all necessary software configurations and adaptations into the master image during its creation phase. This allows the image to be tailored to specific server requirements in advance, while ensuring that all servers receiving the image will have identical, consistent configurations. The preliminary customization resolves the contradiction by enabling both adaptability and consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses homogeneity by ensuring that the master image contains uniform software configurations that are identical across all servers. By standardizing the software stack and configuration in the master image, the system achieves consistent software composition across all servers while still being adaptable to specific requirements through the initial image customization process.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage system (400) includes a storage processor (420-1) such as a storage card resident in a host server (410-1) and coupled to the storage device (450-1). The storage processor (420-1) may be configured to create a virtual volume (428-1), store content derived from an image (492) downloaded from a URL storage corresponding to the virtual volume (428-1), and present the virtual volume (428-1) to the host server as a boot LUN. A management infrastructure (480) can be used to create a library (490) of images (492, 494) corresponding to different storage system characteristics and used to selected which URL is provided to the storage processor (420-1).