Dual-Path Storage System for Unified Boot and Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional storage access systems require multiple storage devices for booting due to insufficient on-board programmable read-only memory, leading to a multi-stage boot process that is inefficient and resource-intensive, especially in virtualized environments where high throughput networks like Infiniband are used.
Innovation Solution
A storage access system that employs a dual-path architecture using a boot path (e.g., Gb Ethernet) for initial booting and a production path (e.g., Infiniband) for loading the operating system, with a load balancer managing traffic to optimize resource usage and minimize bandwidth saturation, enabling the production path once the boot kernel is installed and running.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a multi-stage boot process is used with insufficient on-board memory, then the system can boot using available resources, but multiple storage devices must be maintained increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the boot path and production path into a single unified storage device. The boot kernel is initially loaded from the storage device into on-board memory, then the production path is activated to load the full operating system from the same storage device over the high-speed network, eliminating the need for separate boot and production storage devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically transitions from a boot path using available on-board memory to a production path using high-speed network connectivity. The production path is activated after the boot kernel successfully loads and configures the interface, allowing the system to adapt its resource usage based on runtime conditions.
2Reliability
If a multi-stage boot process is used, then booting is possible with limited memory, but the boot process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The boot kernel is preliminarily loaded into on-board memory from the storage device before activating the production path. This preliminary action enables the system to quickly initialize the high-speed network interface and then rapidly load the full operating system through the production path, reducing overall boot time compared to traditional multi-stage processes.
3Productivity
If high-speed production paths are used for booting, then throughput is improved, but bandwidth saturation occurs during boot operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically activates the high-speed production path only after the boot kernel has successfully loaded and configured the network interface. During the initial boot phase, the system uses the boot path with available on-board memory, preventing bandwidth saturation. Once the production path is activated, it handles the high-throughput operating system loading while the boot path remains available for fallback.
4Reliability
If multiple storage devices are maintained for booting, then boot reliability is ensured, but resource efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges boot storage and production storage operations into a single storage device. The boot kernel and full operating system are both loaded from the same storage device, eliminating redundant storage hardware while maintaining boot reliability through the dynamic activation of the production path for fallback capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage device is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides boot kernel loading, full operating system loading, and acts as a fallback production path. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for dedicated boot storage devices, improving resource efficiency while maintaining system reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
The concepts described herein include a storage access system including two access paths using different path configurations resulting in the ability to do a two part boot from the same boot memory. The two storage access paths address the boot memory using a globally unique identifier. The first storage path is a slower path that transfers instructions from the boot memory to configure the second storage path used to transfer the operating system from the boot memory.