Converged Infrastructure Testbed for Heterogeneous Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

The data storage industry faces challenges in efficiently integrating emerging technologies and rapidly innovating converged infrastructure, with a lack of platforms for developing applications across diverse domains and difficulty in emulating heterogeneous memory and storage tiers.

Innovation Solution

A converged infrastructure testbed and adaptable data storage controller card are introduced, enabling the combination of multiple memory and compute resources into a single platform for research and testing, with features like near-data processing, hardware acceleration, and modular management of various memory technologies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple memory and storage technologies are integrated into a converged infrastructure, then technology versatility and innovation capability are improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetechnology integration capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal management platform that can manage multiple types of memory and storage technologies (DRAM, NAND flash, 3D XPoint, HDD, SSD) through a single interface. The system provides unified configuration, monitoring, and control capabilities across heterogeneous technologies, allowing one system to perform multiple management functions rather than requiring separate management systems for each technology type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a management controller as an intermediary component that sits between the administrator and the diverse memory/storage technologies. This controller receives configuration information, translates it into technology-specific parameters, and manages the actual hardware components. It mediates between the high-level management interface and the low-level hardware specifics, simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If a unified platform for testing and modeling is created, then productivity and testing efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting efficiencyVSAvoidplatform complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple testing and modeling functions into a single integrated platform. The system combines configuration management, performance monitoring, data analysis, and hardware control capabilities into one unified system. This consolidation allows administrators to perform multiple testing operations without switching between different tools or systems, thereby improving productivity despite the increased internal complexity of the unified platform.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10447534B1Converged infrastructure
Publication Date: 2019.10.15 EMC IP HLDG CO LLC
  • US10447534B1 patent drawing
  • US10447534B1 patent drawing
  • US10447534B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A system, computer program product, and computer-executable method of managing a converged infrastructure, the system, computer program product, and computer-executable method including receiving system configuration information and updating the converged infrastructure with the configuration information.