Disk Management via Usage Parameter Imbalance Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional Fully Automated Storage Tiering for Virtual Pools (FAST VP) technology neglects performance differences among disks, such as heat and wear levels, during data movement, leading to imbalances in disk performance.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for managing disks by determining current usage parameters, including access and write rates, to calculate an imbalance degree among disk sets, and then moving data to balance these parameters, considering heat and wear levels, to achieve better performance balance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data is moved based on traditional FAST VP technology without considering disk performance differences, then data classification into tiered storage is achieved, but disk performance imbalance occurs due to neglecting heat and wear levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces new parameters (heat level and wear level) to characterize disk performance states, and uses these parameters to dynamically adjust data movement decisions. By monitoring and responding to changes in these parameters, the system adapts data placement strategies to maintain balanced disk performance while achieving effective data classification.
2Device complexity
If data movement is performed without considering current usage parameters, then storage tiering is simplified, but disk imbalance degree increases due to unequal access and write rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors current usage parameters (access rate and write rate) of disk sets, calculates imbalance degrees based on these parameters, and uses the feedback to guide subsequent data movement operations. This closed-loop control ensures disk performance balance is maintained while managing complexity through automated decision-making.
3Reliability
If disk performance parameters are monitored and considered in data movement, then disk performance balance is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional monitoring and calculation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the storage system to self-monitor its own disk performance parameters (heat levels, wear levels, access rates, write rates) and automatically make data movement decisions based on calculated imbalance degrees. This self-service approach improves disk performance balance while minimizing the need for external intervention or complex manual control mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for managing disks involve: determining a current usage parameter associated with each of a plurality of disk sets, the current usage parameter indicating usage associated with a capability of each of the plurality of disk sets, and the capability comprising at least one of the following: a number of permitted accesses per time unit and a number of permitted writes per time unit; imbalance degree associated with the plurality of disk sets, the first imbalance degree indicating a difference in the current usage parameters of the plurality of disk sets; and causing data in at least one disk slice of a first disk set to be moved to a second disk set of the plurality of disk sets, so as to lower down the first imbalance degree. In this way, a better balance can be achieved among performances of respective disks after adjustment.