Disk Manager Module for All-Flash Array Server Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The management of flash memory in all-flash array (AFA) servers is complex due to differences between solid-state drives (SSDs) and hard disk drives (HDDs, leading to performance degradation and data protection issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for disk management in AFA servers using a disk manager module to perform disk switching control in a high availability architecture, enabling parallel processing of operations across multiple disk pools (active, inserted, and failure pools) to manage SSDs, ensuring correct disk operations and data protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If SSDs are used to replace HDDs in data storage servers, then storage performance and reliability are improved, but the complexity of managing flash memory increases and control methods become improper
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a disk manager module as an intermediary between the host system and SSD storage devices. This module abstracts the complex flash memory management operations, handling wear leveling, garbage collection, and other SSD-specific control methods while presenting a simplified interface to the host system, thereby resolving the contradiction between improved storage reliability and increased management complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the storage system into distinct functional components: the disk manager module that handles SSD-specific operations, the host system that performs high-level data management, and the SSD devices themselves. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently with optimized control methods, reducing the overall complexity while maintaining high reliability
2Productivity
If SSDs are used in AFA servers, then storage performance is improved, but access control management becomes complicated and performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The disk manager module implements self-service mechanisms by automatically performing wear leveling, garbage collection, and other maintenance operations without requiring manual intervention or complex host-side control. The module monitors SSD status and autonomously adjusts access patterns to optimize performance while simplifying management, thus resolving the contradiction between improved storage performance and complicated access control
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional disk management methods are used for SSDs, then compatibility with existing systems is maintained, but performance is degraded and data protection is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The disk manager module serves multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains compatibility with traditional disk management interfaces while implementing SSD-optimized access patterns, wear leveling, and data protection mechanisms. This multi-functionality allows the system to work with existing host systems without modification while achieving superior performance and data protection specific to SSD technology
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for performing disk management of an all flash array (AFA) server are provided. The method may include: utilizing a disk manager module among multiple program modules running on any node of multiple nodes of the AFA server to trigger a hardware layer of the any node to perform disk switching control in HA architecture of the AFA server, for controlling the any node to enable a set of disk switching paths between the any node and a group of storage devices among multiple sets of disk switching paths between the multiple nodes and multiple groups of storage devices; and utilizing the disk manager module to perform multiple groups of operations respectively corresponding to multiple disk pools in a parallel processing manner, for managing the group of storage devices with the multiple disk pools, wherein the multiple disk pools may include active, inserted, and failure disk pools.