Converged Infrastructure Storage Node Configuration Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Configuring storage system nodes in converged infrastructure environments is tedious and error-prone, requiring users to navigate through multiple interfaces and tools, which can lead to inefficiencies and deployment challenges in data centers.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that provides a single 'button' solution to configure a storage system node from setup to a fully functional state within a converged infrastructure environment, utilizing a management console to retrieve network access information, validate configuration requirements, configure network data ports, create storage aggregates, and generate storage volumes, thereby streamlining the process and reducing errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple interfaces and tools are used to configure storage system nodes, then comprehensive configuration capability is achieved, but configuration complexity and error rate increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration capabilityVSAvoidconfiguration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple configuration interfaces and tools into a single integrated configuration interface that can handle all storage system node configuration tasks. This unified interface consolidates previously separate functions for network configuration, storage aggregation, and volume management into one cohesive system, reducing the number of tools users must navigate while maintaining comprehensive configuration capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The configuration interface is designed to perform multiple configuration functions through a single universal tool. It can configure network parameters, create storage aggregates, generate storage volumes, and validate converged infrastructure requirements all within one interface, eliminating the need for multiple specialized tools and reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If manual configuration steps are performed through multiple interfaces, then detailed control is achieved, but configuration time and effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration precisionVSAvoidconfiguration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary validation of converged infrastructure configuration requirements before completing the configuration process. By checking compliance with predefined standards in advance, the system prevents configuration errors that would require time-consuming corrections, thereby reducing total configuration time while maintaining precision through automated validation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The configuration interface automatically validates whether the storage system node meets converged infrastructure requirements without requiring manual verification steps. The system self-checks configuration parameters, network settings, and storage configurations against predefined standards, reducing the time users spend on manual verification while ensuring configuration precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional configuration methods are used, then flexibility in configuration options is maintained, but deployment reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoiddeployment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The configuration interface incorporates automated feedback mechanisms that validate each configuration step against converged infrastructure requirements. The system provides real-time feedback on configuration compliance, alerting users to potential issues and guiding them toward reliable configurations. This feedback loop maintains configuration flexibility while ensuring that deployed systems meet reliability standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary validation of configuration options before deployment to ensure they meet converged infrastructure requirements. By checking configuration validity in advance, the system prevents deployment failures while still allowing users to configure systems according to their specific needs, thus maintaining flexibility without sacrificing reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10148758B2Converged infrastructure and associated methods thereof

Publication Date: 2018.12.04 NETAPP INC

AI summary

Methods and systems for a networked storage environment are provided. One method includes retrieving network access information by a management console to connect to a storage system node in a converged infrastructure (CI) environment with defined configuration requirements for deploying the storage system node that manages a plurality of storage devices; performing an initial determination to ascertain that the storage system node is capable of meeting the CI environment configuration requirements; configuring a plurality of network data ports of the storage system node for sending and receiving data to and from a client system to meet the CI environment configuration requirements; creating an aggregate having storage space at the plurality of storage devices to meet the CI environment configuration requirements for storage devices; and generating a storage volume in compliance with the CI environment configuration requirements.