Capacity Based Licensing for Virtualized Storage Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data storage systems lack effective mechanisms to enforce resource limits, such as storage capacity, processors, and memory, leading to potential overconsumption and inefficient resource allocation across multiple host systems accessing a shared data storage system.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for licensing that sets a maximum resource limit and enforces it through software components, determining dependent limits for physical and logical entities, and communicating these limits to ensure that actual resource consumption does not exceed the specified maximum, applicable to virtualized data storage systems and appliances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple host systems access a shared data storage system, then resource utilization and data sharing are improved, but resource overconsumption and allocation inefficiency occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a licensing mechanism that continuously monitors resource consumption by each host system and enforces predefined maximum limits. When a host approaches its allocated resource limit, the system prevents further resource allocation, providing feedback control to maintain balanced resource distribution across multiple hosts and prevent overconsumption.
2Productivity
If resource limits are enforced through software components, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a licensing component as an intermediary layer between the data storage system and host systems. This mediator enforces resource limits by intercepting and evaluating resource allocation requests against predefined licensing parameters, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining efficient resource control without requiring complex modifications to existing storage or host systems.
3Reliability
If maximum resource limits are set and enforced, then resource overconsumption is prevented, but flexibility in resource allocation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource limit management where maximum resource limits are not fixed but can be adjusted based on licensing parameters. The system allows administrators to modify licensing limits, add or remove hosts, and update resource allocations without requiring system reconfiguration, enabling flexible adaptation to changing business requirements while maintaining reliable enforcement of current limits.
Data Source
AI summary
Described are licensing techniques that may include: receiving a license specifying a maximum limit of a resource where the maximum limit denotes a maximum allowable consumption amount of the resource; providing the maximum limit to one or more software components; and enforcing, by the one or more software components, consumption of the maximum limit of the resource whereby an actual amount of the resource consumed is not allowed to exceed the maximum limit. The maximum limit may be a maximum storage capacity limit in connection with a virtualized storage system or appliance as well as a non-virtualized storage system or appliance. Software components may enforce the maximum limit, or a dependent limit derived therefrom, on the control path and data path. Limits specified in the license, or a dependent limit determined therefrom, may denote a maximum or minimum limit.