Cluster Device Discovery via Broadcast Synchronization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In high availability data storage systems, the complex process of booting and identifying multiple devices within a cluster is inefficient, requiring manual initialization and lacking an automated method for device discovery.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that initiates a boot mode process by generating a cluster device identifier and count, broadcasting messages at varying frequencies to identify and synchronize devices within a storage system cluster, transitioning through boot, fast, and stable modes to ensure all devices are discovered and synchronized.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual initialization is used for device discovery in a clustered storage system, then system complexity is reduced, but productivity and ease of operation deteriorate due to inefficiency and lack of automation
Solution Approach 1:
Each device in the cluster autonomously performs device discovery by broadcasting its own identifier and listening for identifiers from other devices. The devices self-organize into a complete cluster view without requiring external manual initialization or complex centralized coordination, thereby automating the process while keeping individual device logic simple.
Solution Approach 2:
Devices are pre-configured with a unique identifier before joining the cluster. When a device boots, it immediately uses this pre-assigned identifier to broadcast its presence and receive information about other devices, eliminating the need for manual initialization during the boot process.
2Measurement precision
If frequent broadcasting is used during boot mode to ensure complete device discovery, then measurement precision of device count is improved, but use of energy and time consumption worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Device identifier broadcasting occurs periodically at defined intervals during the boot process rather than continuously. This periodic broadcasting allows devices to accumulate knowledge about cluster members over time, achieving accurate device count measurement while limiting total broadcasting duration and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The broadcasting frequency and duration are dynamically adjusted based on the boot phase. During early boot, broadcasting occurs more frequently to ensure complete discovery. As devices are discovered and the cluster view stabilizes, broadcasting frequency is reduced or stopped, optimizing the balance between discovery accuracy and resource consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, computer program product, and computing system for initiating a boot mode process for a plurality of devices included within a device cluster of a storage system. The boot mode process includes: generating a cluster device identifier for a first device chosen from the plurality of devices, generating a cluster device count for the first device, and broadcasting from the first device to all of the other plurality of devices, a boot cluster device message. The boot cluster device message includes the cluster device identifier of the first device, and the cluster device count of the first device. The boot cluster device message is broadcast at a first frequency.