Distributed Storage Manager for NAS Scalability Without Downtime
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network attached storage (NAS) solutions are not easily scalable and require significant downtime and maintenance for data reconfiguration, making it inconvenient and disruptive to move data between multiple NAS units, which limits their ability to meet the growing storage demands of large data storage sites.
Innovation Solution
A distributed network data storage manager that can transparently reconfigure network storage devices, allowing data to be moved between NAS units without disrupting client access, by automatically mapping file locations and resolving access conflicts, thus enabling uninterrupted access to data files.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If data is moved between NAS units using traditional methods, then storage capacity and distribution are improved, but system downtime and maintenance disruption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by creating a symbolic link at the original file location before actually moving the data. This symbolic link is established in advance to ensure continuous client access during the data migration process, preventing system downtime while enabling storage scalability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a symbolic link as an intermediary element between the client file system and the actual data storage location. This intermediary allows the data to be moved to different NAS units while the symbolic link maintains the original access path, thus enabling storage redistribution without causing system disruption or downtime.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple NAS units are used for data storage, then storage capacity increases, but complexity of data management and reconfiguration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complexity of data management by separating the file access interface from the physical data storage location. The symbolic link remains at the original location while data can be moved freely between NAS units, thus increasing storage capacity without proportionally increasing management complexity.
3Productivity
If data reconfiguration is performed to optimize storage distribution, then storage efficiency improves, but client access disruption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a symbolic link copy that references the original data location. When data is moved to optimize storage distribution, the symbolic link copy maintains the original access path for clients, thus improving storage efficiency while maintaining ease of operation and client access continuity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a scalable, highly available distributed network data storage system that efficiently and reliably provides network clients and application servers with access to large data stores, such as NAS units, and manages client and server requests for data from the data stores, thereby comprising a distributed storage manager. A storage manager constructed in accordance with the invention can receive and process network requests for data at a large, aggregated network data store, such as a collection of NAS units, and can manage data traffic between the network clients and NAS units.