Dynamic Alias Address Pool for I/O Resource Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In computing environments with multiple host systems and control units, existing methods for assigning alias addresses to base addresses are inefficient, particularly in managing concurrent I/O operations and adapting to workload changes, as they often require manual configuration and do not dynamically optimize alias allocation.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for dynamically assigning alias addresses from a pool to base addresses, allowing alias addresses to be allocated and reassigned as needed to manage I/O requests, with the host system determining availability and reassigning aliases to ensure efficient access to volumes, even when base addresses are unavailable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual configuration methods are used to assign alias addresses to base addresses, then the system can maintain stable address mappings, but the system cannot dynamically adapt to workload changes and concurrent I/O operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic alias address assignment where the system automatically allocates alias addresses from a pool to base addresses based on current workload demands. The alias address pool is dynamically managed, allowing addresses to be assigned when needed and released when no longer required, enabling the system to adapt to changing I/O patterns without manual reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-management of alias address allocation by automatically determining when alias addresses are needed and assigning them from the pool. The host system monitors base address availability and autonomously manages the alias address pool, eliminating the need for external manual configuration while maintaining optimal performance.
2Productivity
If multiple alias addresses are assigned to base addresses to enable concurrent I/O operations, then the system can improve I/O throughput, but the complexity of managing alias address assignments increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple alias addresses into a single managed pool structure. Instead of managing individual alias address assignments separately, the system consolidates them into a unified pool that can be allocated and deallocated as a unit. This pooling approach simplifies the management complexity while maintaining the ability to assign multiple aliases to base addresses for concurrent I/O operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of active alias addresses based on current I/O workload parameters. When concurrent I/O operations are detected, the system increases the number of active aliases from the pool; when workload decreases, it reduces the number of active aliases. This parameter-based dynamic adjustment optimizes performance while simplifying management compared to static configuration approaches.
3Quantity of substance
If alias addresses are dynamically reassigned based on base address availability, then the system can optimize resource utilization, but the overhead of determining availability and reassigning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains a pre-established pool of available alias addresses that are ready for immediate assignment. Before actual I/O operations occur, the pool is pre-populated with available alias addresses, so when a base address becomes available or needs an alias, the system can immediately assign from the pre-prepared pool without time-consuming allocation procedures. This preliminary preparation optimizes both resource utilization and response time.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for assigning alias addresses to base addresses. An assignment is provided of base addresses to the devices. The base addresses are used to access the devices assigned to the base addresses. An assignment is provided of a plurality of alias addresses to an alias address pool. The alias addresses in the alias address pool are capable of being dynamically assigned to the devices to service I/O requests to the devices. An Input/Output (I/O) request to access one target device comprising one of the devices is processed. A determination is made as to whether the base address assigned to the target device is available. One alias address is assigned to the target device in response to determining that the base address is not available. The I/O request is issued to the assigned alias address to transmit the request to the target device.