Controller Manager for Scalable Storage Network Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional system control networks have scalability limitations, requiring multiple AIM controllers for each network, leading to inefficient manual monitoring and management across disparate systems, which is error-prone and time-consuming for administrators.
Innovation Solution
A multiple storage control network management system with a persona storage device, multiple controllers, and a controller manager that monitors and manages controller environments, moves personas between controllers, and compares change objects to determine and store configuration differences, enabling centralized management and automation of system control networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple AIM controllers are deployed to manage multiple system control networks, then the scalability and coverage of network management is improved, but the device complexity and administrative burden increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple AIM controller environments into a single unified environment by introducing a master AIM controller that manages multiple slave AIM controllers. This consolidation allows the system to maintain scalability while reducing the complexity of managing disparate controller environments, as all controllers are now coordinated through a single master controller that provides centralized management.
Solution Approach 2:
The master AIM controller is designed with multi-functionality to manage multiple slave AIM controllers and their respective system control networks. This universal controller can perform discovery, configuration, monitoring, and coordination tasks across all slave controllers, eliminating the need for separate management systems for each network and thereby reducing overall system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If manual monitoring and control of multiple system control networks is performed, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the loss of time and productivity decrease significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service automation where the master AIM controller automatically discovers, configures, monitors, and coordinates multiple slave AIM controllers without requiring manual intervention. The system performs change object comparison, configuration synchronization, and resource allocation automatically, thereby eliminating time-consuming manual administrative tasks while maintaining ease of operation through centralized access.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where slave AIM controllers periodically report their status, configuration changes, and resource utilization to the master AIM controller. This feedback loop enables automatic detection of changes and triggers appropriate actions, such as configuration synchronization or resource reallocation, thereby reducing the time administrators would otherwise need to manually monitor and respond to system changes.
3Productivity
If centralized management of multiple system control networks is implemented, then the productivity and efficiency are improved, but the device complexity and initial configuration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the management architecture into a master AIM controller and multiple slave AIM controllers, where each slave controller manages its own local system control network independently. This segmentation allows the master controller to focus on coordination and optimization across networks, while slave controllers handle local operations. This division of labor improves overall management efficiency while keeping the complexity of individual controller units manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The master AIM controller acts as an intermediary between multiple slave AIM controllers and external management systems. It provides a standardized interface for communication and coordination, abstracting the complexity of managing multiple networks from external systems. This intermediary role enables centralized management and improved productivity while isolating the complexity within the master-slave architecture rather than exposing it to external systems.
4Measurement precision
If change objects are compared and configuration differences are determined across multiple controllers, then the measurement precision and configuration accuracy are improved, but the processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having slave AIM controllers pre-process and filter change objects before transmitting them to the master AIM controller. Each slave controller compares local configuration changes against its own baseline and only transmits meaningful changes to the master. This preliminary filtering reduces the volume of data that needs to be processed across the network, thereby maintaining high measurement precision for configuration detection while reducing the overall processing time and computational resources required.
Data Source
AI summary
A multiple storage control network management system includes a plurality of controllers, each coupled to a respective system control network to provide a respective controller environment. A controller manager is coupled to each of the plurality of controllers. The controller manager is operable to monitor the respective controller environment provided by each of the plurality of controllers. The controller manager is also operable to move personas between respective controller environments. The controller manager is also operable to start and stop personas across a plurality of the respective controller environments. The controller manager is also operable to receive a first change object from a first controller of the plurality of controllers, compare the first change object to a previously received change object from the first controller, determine the changes between object elements in the first change object and the previously received change object, and store the determined changes.